The recent exhibition fight between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson left fans and critics divided, with many calling it a low point for the sport.
Among the critics was boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez, who did not hold back in expressing his dismay at the event.
The fight, which saw 27-year-old Paul face off against the 58-year-old Tyson, sparked heated debates about the role of such exhibitions in boxing.
Canelo Alvarez felt sad watching the bout
Speaking to talkSPORT, Alvarez shared his emotional reaction to the fight.
“You know, I feel sad about what I saw from Mike Tyson,” Canelo told talkSPORT.
“At his age and everything, he can’t do that kind of stuff, but it’s business for them, and it’s fine, whatever.”
For Alvarez, the sight of Tyson, once a dominant force in the ring, participating in such a contest was a troubling reminder of how the sport’s legends are sometimes drawn into spectacles for commercial gain.
The fight also evoked a protective instinct in Alvarez, who admitted he briefly considered stepping into the ring to defend Tyson’s honor.
“I thought about [getting revenge for Tyson] when I saw the fight, when I saw the injustice. But we’ll see. I’m in my thing,” he said.
Jake Paul, a polarizing figure in the boxing world, responded to Alvarez’s comments via social media. However, there appears to be no serious indication that a bout between the two is on the horizon.
Both Alvarez and Paul currently lack confirmed fights for the upcoming year, though their career trajectories make a clash unlikely.
The Tyson-Paul event reignited discussions about the purpose and impact of exhibition fights. While proponents argue they bring fresh attention to boxing and attract younger audiences, critics like Alvarez worry that such spectacles undermine the sport’s dignity and its storied traditions.
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