Mike Tyson Comments On The Influence Of YouTube Boxers

Mike Tyson was a part of a press conference prior to the fight between Paul and Silva. He praised YouTube boxers as a whole for the work they've done in bringing the sport back into the mainstream consciousness.

"Listen, my ego says so many things, but my reality is they help boxing so much. ... These guys making boxing alive. Boxing was pretty much a dying sport, so UFC was kicking our butt, and now we have these YouTube boxers. Boxing is getting 25 million views. Boxing is going back thanks to the YouTube boxers," Tyson said.

Paul and Tyson are reportedly friends and have been since 2020. The two competed on the same card together and developed a relationship from there.

This is not the first time Tyson has defended Paul, either. Notably, he defended the former YouTuber in an interview with late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel.

“He’s doing so much good for boxing. Listen, this guy has got 70 million people following him every time he fights. Champions of the world don’t have that many people following them," Iron Mike said. "So what he’s doing for boxing is just sensational, no one should be hating on that. They should be saying ‘yeah let’s just fight him’. He’s helping everybody get money, so why are people mad at him?”

Given the two are friends, many have wondered if they would be interested in a potential fight in the ring. The idea doesn't seem to be too outside the realm of possibility.

Tyson expressed interest in the bout earlier this year, however, he did mention that it had to happen this year. That doesn't look like a possibility at this juncture.

“That could be very interesting,” Tyson said about the potential fight. “I never really took it serious, but yeah it could be really interesting."

Paul has also expressed interest in the fight. And he even has a theory as to why the bout hasn't taken place yet.

"I think he thinks that he would knock me out, and I think that's maybe the reason why he doesn't want to do the fight. I think he wants to avoid maybe knocking me out, hurting me," he said during an interview in July.

Later, Paul said it was something he would definitely be down for. Especially given the mutual respect between the two fighters. "Mike respects me and I respect Mike, but it would be dope to fight. I’m down. It could be fun," he said.