Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has launched a scathing attack on Jake Paul, accusing the YouTube star-turned-boxer of gaining an unfair advantage in his fight against the legendary Mike Tyson.
Glove Controversy Erupts
Bellew took to social media to voice his outrage over the equipment used in the bout, which took place 13 months ago. He claimed that while Tyson wore heavily padded gloves, Paul opted for 'Grants' – which he described as 'full on punchers gloves'.
"There is a huge difference in them gloves and I'm only watching from a bed," fumed Bellew, suggesting the choice gave Paul a significant edge. The fight itself was notably one-sided, with official statistics showing the then 58-year-old Tyson landed only 18 punches compared to Paul's 78.
A Call for a Boycott and a Backhanded Compliment
Bellew didn't stop at criticising the gloves. He placed blame on the viewing public for enabling such spectacles and called for a boycott of Paul's future fights unless he faces 'fit, healthy' opponents rather than 'a grandfather'.
"We have to stop this fool [Paul]!" Bellew wrote. "Don't tune into him until he fights someone who is fit healthy and not a grandfather! Any proper boxing people helping Paul need to look at themselves! This is just sad."
Despite his fury, Bellew begrudgingly acknowledged Paul's post-fight claim that he held back to avoid seriously injuring Tyson. "He stopped beating on Mike there and showed him some respect and dignity by letting him survive. He didn't go for the KO there, he stepped off him and let him be," Bellew conceded.
Looking Ahead to a Bigger Challenge
The controversy resurfaces as Jake Paul prepares for his next major challenge: a heavyweight clash with former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in Miami on December 19. The fight will be streamed live on Netflix.
Undeterred by the criticism or the formidable task ahead, Paul has confidently predicted a knockout victory. "I think it’s going to be a very tough fight for multiple rounds... but then I’m going to set up the shot," Paul stated on The Pat McAfee Show. "I think it will end in the fifth or sixth round."
Whether Paul can silence critics like Tony Bellew with a legitimate victory over an elite fighter like Anthony Joshua remains the biggest question in his boxing career.
