Mike Tyson, Oleksandr Usyk, and Victor Ortiz all have different ideas of just how Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather will look. But in Tyson’s case, he got a chance to deliver his prediction face to face with Paul in a guest spot on their Impaulsive podcast.
The Paul brothers have found an undeniable home in the boxing world. The YouTube-personalities-turned-fighters have captured big audiences for boxing matches against fellow celebrities like rapper KSI and former NBA player Nate Robinson. And while their in-ring product rarely looks better than a carnival sideshow, they’ve springboarded their cult of personality into bigger and better opportunities.
Jake Paul, fresh off his second round KO over the aforementioned Robinson – in the co-main event of the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition fight – seems to have something brewing against former Bellator and ONE Championship title holder Ben Askren (although Askren has since said that Paul is backing out of the fight). Meanwhile, Logan Paul has a much more official bout in the works against none other than 43-year-old undefeated boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Paul lost his only pro bout to date, against KSI back in 2019. But with the brothers still providing constant headline fodder it seems like the prospect of making another easy buck was too good for Mayweather to pass up—even though Paul has 6 inches and 50+ lbs on the former multi-division world champion. Since retiring back in 2015, Mayweather has returned to the ring twice, both for showcase bouts. The most notable of those being against Conor McGregor in 2017.
On a recent episode of Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Mike Tyson stopped by to discuss how Paul might fair in his bid to take on Mayweather. Tyson didn’t mince words.
“Floyd will beat his fucking ass,” Tyson told co-host Mike Majlak, with Paul seated next to him. “But it’s gonna be good. It’s gonna be good, he’ll fight back though.”
With Logan Paul sitting across from him, Mike Tyson says “Floyd is going to beat his f***ing ass” during the Feb. 20 exhibition. pic.twitter.com/5846fR6c2F
— Manouk Akopyan (@ManoukAkopyan) December 29, 2020
Tyson isn’t the only pro boxer to weigh in with his thoughts on the fight. Former undisputed cruiserweight champion and current WBO inter-continental heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk gave his thoughts on the bout in an interview with The Sun, essentially saying that Mayweather should have things in hand unless he gets too relaxed.
“As for whether it is dangerous, I think that if a boxer relaxes and gets hit it may be dangerous for him.
“Mayweather should be composed and play his game until the end.
“If he wants to it may be dangerous and if he doesn’t it will be okay.”
If Usyk is offering some measured caution, however, former welterweight champion Victor Ortiz sounds confident that Paul will be a major problem for Mayweather. Ortiz counts himself as a “dear friend” of Logan Paul and is helping with preparations for the bout. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Ortiz was unequivocal in his praise for Paul’s technical improvements and potential to give Mayweather a hard fight.
“I know what I know, and I know what I see,” Ortiz said. “What I’m saying, in a sense, is that he will give Floyd trouble.”
“He’s a dear friend, and I believe in him,” Ortiz said of Paul. “I’m telling you, it’s going to be an interesting fight. I’ve talked to him about Floyd a few times. … I give him the simple things: ‘Floyd is Floyd, but you’re unstoppable. You’re on another level.’ I strongly believe Floyd will have trouble. Logan can box, and he has power, reach speed, and he can move now.”
Even given the large size disparity, it seems hard to imagine that the man whose only venture inside the ring to date ended in a loss to an equally-inexperienced opponent will pose any kind of actual threat to one of boxing’s most decorated modern greats. But, as always, combat sports is all about selling the sizzle, nevermind if there’s any meat on the bone.