Andrew Ravens
Mike Tyson is not holding back about the state of modern boxing. The 59-year-old heavyweight legend, who competed 15 times in the year 1985 alone, has officially called out the current generation of fighters for what he perceives as a lackluster work ethic.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Tyson shared his disbelief that he is still breaking viewership records four decades after his professional debut, while younger stars struggle to stay active. Boxing has been in a decline for years, something Dana White is looking to take advantage of with Zuffa Boxing.
“This is what fighters should be thinking right now about me. ‘How can this guy be 60 years old and break all the records?’ They should be disappointed with themselves,” Tyson said.
His comments come in the wake of his 2024 bout with Jake Paul, which drew a staggering 108 million live global viewers on Netflix. For Tyson, the lack of schedules of today’s top stars—who often fight only once or twice a year—is a disservice to the sport’s legacy.
Mike Tyson questions boxing’s best fight once or twice a year
“They fight once or twice a year. No one knows who they are,” he said. “They need to have a story behind them. It’s not that they’re getting paid too much, they just don’t wanna do it.”
Despite his age, Tyson remains driven to prove he is still the biggest attraction in boxing. He challenged modern stars to match his willingness to step into the ring, arguing that frequent competition is a “no-lose situation” that keeps a fighter in shape while maximizing their earnings.
“I wanna compete against people. I wanna know who the biggest draw in the history of the world is,” Tyson emphasized. “I wanna see if anyone is bigger than me. My talent speaks for itself.”
Tyson is currently preparing for a historic exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather, scheduled for April 25 in Kinshasa. Tyson has been spotted wearing a cast on his hand during camp, leading to rumors of a postponement. However, the former champion insisted the injury is just a “little sprain” and that he intends to go ahead with the April date as planned.
