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Debate

Can Jake Paul ever earn the respect of the boxing community, or is he just a sideshow?

Defying expectations, Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul shattered multiple boxing records. Attracting over 65 million household streams worldwide despite Netflix’s technical issues, the highly anticipated bout concluded with a mixed reaction from the boxing community. While fans were relieved to see the legend avoid a knockout, the spectacle of watching their favorite Uncle Mike absorb punches from Paul sparked widespread empathy.

The reactions took a darker turn as viewers expressed outrage on social media, with Gervonta Davis notably threatening physical harm against the Problem Child. However, Tank Davis wasn’t the only one. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, hinted at an inkling of stepping inside the boxing ring against the 27-year-old star.

Ali-Tyson familial bond remains strong

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Soon after Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul concluded, Nico Ali Walsh expressed anger in a series of Instagram posts and stories. Remembering his later grandfather Muhammad Ali, Walsh shamed Paul, stating: “Jake Paul is an embarrassment to this sport. If my grandfather was still around, he’d call him out.”

Later, Walsh published an old clip of Tyson, where the boxing legend gives an inside scoop of how he ended up avenging Ali. In the video, Iron Mike says, “It’s October 2nd, 1980, Ali fights Larry Holmes. After that fight, we all went to our rooms, we never talked. The next morning, [Tyson’s trainer Cus D’Amato] is on the phone with Muhammad Ali. Cus is calling Larry Holmes so many bad [things], ‘How do you let that bum hit on you champ, Ali… Cus, he’s almost getting sensitive, you know, emotional, ‘Why is it the bum.’ I was crying.”

“He said, I have a 14-year-old kid. He’s gonna be heavyweight champ of the world, his name is Mike Tyson. So I talked to Ali on the phone, ‘When I get big, [I will] get him for you. I’ll revenge you, [I will] restore your honor.’ And then, January 22nd, I’m fighting [Larry Holmes]. Then Ali comes in the ring and says, ‘Get him for me.'” As history is our witness, Tyson did exactly that—securing a fourth-round knockout win to retain his WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles.

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Can Jake Paul ever earn the respect of the boxing community, or is he just a sideshow?

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Akin to Iron Mike, Nico Ali Walsh is now seeking the boxing legend’s permission to avenge his recent loss to Jake Paul. As reported by boxing interviewer Elie Seckbach, Walsh said, “If Mike Tyson asks he will avenge his loss to Jake Paul like Mike did for his grandfather Muhammad Ali when Tyson beat Larry Holmes.”

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Gervonta Davis threatens to “beat the brakes off Jake Paul”

Similarly, as mentioned above, Gervonta Davis also joined the chorus of criticism. Notably, he threatened the Problem Child with physical harm. Expressing his admiration for his idol Iron Mike, Tank stated: “Ima beat the brakes off Jake when I catch em…upper cut jap jap left hook uppercut..hook. Watch.”

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These words were quick to reach ‘El Gallo,’ who in the post-fight press conference, accepted Tank’s callout, “I mean I’d be down let’s run it like I’ll be super down.” To which, MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian added, “Gervonta needs Jake Paul.”

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While Jake Paul savors his triumph over Mike Tyson, many from the boxing world remain outraged. Do you want to see Nico Ali Walsh vs. Jake Paul in the near future? If their fight comes to fruition, do you think history will repeat itself?

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