Mike Tyson has been advised to quit boxing and become a trainer by former champion Juan Manuel Márquez.
The 58-year-old Tyson cut a sorry figure on Saturday night after he was outmuscled and out gunned by YouTuber Jake Paul in Arlington, Texas. The ex-world heavyweight champion looked a shadow of his former self as he was defeated by unanimous decision.
Paul won every round of the eight-session contest on two of the judges’ scorecards. The social media star never came close to knocking out Tyson, despite it being the boxing legend’s first fight in four years, however the elder fighter clearly struggled and only managed to land 18 punches in total across the entire bout.
Marquez, once a title holder in four weight classes, has now urged Tyson to hang up his gloves for good. The Mexican also exclaimed his sadness after watching the bout.
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“I think Mike Tyson needs to analyze what’s next for him. I think it would be good for him to take a break, dedicate himself to training, to working in a gym and to transfer his experience as a former champion, as a former fighter,” he said to ProBox TV.
“That’s what Mike Tyson needs to do. He shouldn’t think about coming back and basically dedicate himself to training. For me, he doesn’t need to get in the ring anymore.”
Juan Manuel Marquez has offered Tyson advice (
Getty)
The match-up was no doubt a dispiriting showcase for many ardent boxing fans due to Tyson’s seeming inability to take the fight to Paul. From mass walkouts to a host of famous faces insisting the bout was a farce, Tyson’s participation has been met with wide scale disappointment, including from Marquez, who feels ‘Iron Mike’ should now leave the sport to young blood.
“It’s a good thing that Mike Tyson wasn’t knocked out, but the truth is that I felt sad seeing the legacy of a great fighter, seeing what he did in his career, that he lent himself to this kind of thing made me very sad,” the 51-year-old added.
“Seeing the way his right foot wanted to go to the right and couldn’t, he didn’t synchronize his head movements with his body and I think, in that sense, seeing a fighter out of rhythm at 58-years-old. I take my hat off, but seeing the magnitude of Mike Tyson’s greatness, seeing him this way, honestly, made me very sad.
“A great heavyweight fighter. Pass it on to the guys who are growing up, to the young guys, so they can get started in this great sport.”
Concerns for Tyson during the fight were echoed by many viewers. Speaking after the bout, the former heavyweight champion confounded fears by claiming he ‘almost died’ earlier in the year – but that he was grateful for the opportunity to face Paul.
“[I] had 8 blood transfusions,” the 58-year-old said. “Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
Paul bows to Tyson as their bout comes to a close (
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”
Paul, meanwhile, poured praise on his rival. The 27-year-old also claimed he even took it easy on Tyson – another kick in the teeth for those who once hailed the undisputed world heavyweight champion as the best to ever do it.
“Mike Tyson, he’s a legend. He’s the greatest to ever do it, Paul said. “I look up to him and we wouldn’t be here today without him. This man is an icon and it’s an honour to fight him. It was tough like I expected it to be.
“I wanted to give the fans a show but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt. There was a point where he (Tyson) was not engaging back, I could just tell his age was showing a little bit.”
