‘I don’t like it’ – Mike Tyson’s ex-manager admits fear over Jake Paul fight and reveals Evander Holyfield trilogy talks
MIKE TYSON has been warned by his ex-manager against a fight with Jake Paul after talks for a trilogy with Evander Holyfield collapsed.
The youngest heavyweight champion of all time in November 2020 made a shock boxing comeback.
He drew over eight exhibition rounds with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, 53, and was soon being called out for more cash-grab spectacle bouts.
Tyson, now 56, is yet to fight again and appeared ready to leave his surprise return as a one-off ring cameo.
Although that was until YouTuber-turned boxer Paul campaigned to face the American idol, who is over 30 years older.
Both boxing stars have opened the door to what would surely be a pay-per-view blockbuster, despite the age gap.
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But Hall of Fame manager Shelly Finkel, who worked with Tyson up until his retirement in 2005, is among those dead against it.
Finkel told SunSport: “I don’t like it. But, Mike has his own mind, if he asked me, I’d tell him my opinion.”
Paul has made a name for himself in the fight game since winning his professional debut against online rival “AnEsonGib” in January 2020.
He followed that up 11 months later by brutally knocking out ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, on Tyson’s undercard.
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Paul progressed with wins over former UFC pair Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40, first on points and then KO.
But he is yet to face an opponent with a recognised boxing record following cancelled bouts with Tommy Fury, 23, and Hasim Rahman Jr, 31.
Tyson meanwhile has continued to tease another fight with training pictures and videos.
He was in talks for another rematch with Holyfield, 59, who made a return of his own last September.
But after being shamefully bashed around the ring by ex-UFC champ Vitor Belfort, 45, talk of the already unwanted trilogy faded away.
Finkel revealed: “He actually reached out for me and then I spoke after that fight about trying to put the Holyfield fight together.
“It never happened, and after the way Holyfield looked with the MMA guy, that was over.”
