Boxing icon Floyd Mayweather has expressed his shock and disbelief after watching the recent sparring session between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, which has since become one of the most talked-about moments in combat sports. Mayweather, who has always been a keen observer of the sport, admitted that the outcome of the session left him “doubting his eyes” after seeing Tyson, the former heavyweight champion, taken down early by Paul, the YouTube star-turned-boxer.
The sparring session, which was intended to be a friendly workout between the two fighters, quickly escalated when Jake Paul landed a well-placed punch on Tyson in the first round. Tyson, 57, was momentarily stunned by the shot, and Paul jokingly declared, “You’re under arrest, Mike,” as the cameras captured the surreal moment. The incident, which was originally intended as a casual exchange, went viral almost immediately, sparking widespread debate across social media and the boxing community.
Mayweather, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time with an undefeated record, took to social media to share his thoughts. “I watched the Tyson vs. Jake Paul sparring match, and I’m not going to lie, the result made me doubt my eyes,” Mayweather wrote. “Mike Tyson is a legend, but to see him go down like that was a shock. Jake Paul might not have the experience, but he’s a young, hungry fighter and it showed.”
While Tyson quickly regained his composure, the event raised concerns about his age and long absence from professional boxing. Tyson, who last fought professionally in 2005, has recently participated in exhibitions but has been open about his limited physical abilities at this stage of his career. Many felt that the sparring session, though friendly, highlighted the physical differences between a 57-year-old Tyson and a 26-year-old Paul.
The moment also stirred debate about Jake Paul’s legitimacy as a boxer. Despite his rise to fame through YouTube and social media, Paul has consistently pushed for fights against established figures in the sport. Some critics have questioned whether his victories over former UFC fighters and celebrities have been enough to prove his skills in the boxing ring, but this latest “win” against Tyson, even in a sparring session, has raised Paul’s profile in the eyes of fans and analysts alike.
For Mayweather, the event has added fuel to the ongoing speculation about a potential fight between him and Jake Paul. Although Mayweather has repeatedly dismissed the idea of facing Paul in a professional bout, the rise of Paul’s popularity and his unexpected success in the ring has led many to wonder if such a match could eventually happen.
Despite the surprise of the sparring session, Tyson took the situation in stride, laughing off the “arrest” moment. The boxing legend continues to hint at the possibility of returning to the ring for exhibitions, but it’s clear that Paul’s competitive spirit and recent success have shaken up the conversation about the future of both fighters.
In the end, the Tyson-Paul encounter, whether staged for entertainment or not, has left fans with plenty to talk about and raised questions about the evolving nature of combat sports. Mayweather’s comments only underscore how unpredictable and unconventional the modern boxing landscape has become.
