Did you forget the controversial Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson spectacle in November last year? Hopefully not. The YouTuber turned-boxer fought the former heavyweight champion in an event broadcast on Netflix. The fight, although hyped, left fans and experts questioning Iron Mike Tyson’s place in the ring. However, one person who wasn’t shy about expressing his opinion was Tyson’s former coach, Teddy Atlas.

Atlas, who coached Mike Tyson alongside Kevin Rooney during his early years recently made a bold claim. The trainer admitted that the veteran’s decision to challenge the unorthodox fighter was “nonsense.” Even though he helped Tyson claim two national titles in the Junior Olympics, and got much exposure for being one of his coaches, Teddy Atlas made it clear that he didn’t want to be linked to Mike Tyson. Why? Not because of any animosity towards him but because he wasn’t instrumental in the former heavyweight champion’s prime years. He said, “I didn’t make Tyson the heavyweight champ of the world. I wasn’t there. I didn’t do that.”

Joining Atlas in agreement with the fact that the fight was indeed pointless, David Benavidez, also shared his thoughts on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul matchup that took place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Let’s dive into what Benavidez had to say.

David Benavidez’s Thoughts on Mike Tyson’s Retirement

In a recent update, the 3x WBC super-middleweight champion was seen talking with The Miami Hustle about the importance of a winning mindset, daily prayer, & always doing what you love. David Benavidez, who will be headlining PBC’s first fight card of 2025, did not hold back when expressing his thoughts on the November bout. He said, “It was very hard to watch. That’s probably the only fight I’ve watched and really been nervous and scared for a fighter.” And the reason? The 28-year-old didn’t like the fact that Tyson was a 58-year-old man stepping back into the ring against a man three decades his junior no less.

He further noted that Jake Paul had “the grace” to avoid landing any devastating punches on Tyson, but Benavidez didn’t sugarcoat the situation. He said Tyson likely got what he was looking for—“a big bag” of money—but at what cost? The boxer emphasized that fighters who are past their prime should seriously consider staying retired. “I think as for our old fighters, they should stay retired because it’s not a game. You don’t want to see them get hurt in front of millions of people for no reason, just for the game and for money. It’s not worth it,” he lamented.

Not just that. The Phoenix, Arizona native also revealed a surprising connection to Tyson. When asked about his nickname, ‘The Mexican Monster’, Benavidez explained that it was actually Tyson who bestowed him with the title during a podcast years ago. Initially, Benavidez was known as ‘El Bandera Roja’, which translates to ‘The Red Flag’ – a name given to him by his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, but he didn’t connect with it. However, after Tyson dubbed him the ‘The Mexican Monster’, Benavidez embraced it. “Mike Tyson is giving me a nickname. I might as well stick with it,” he said. The 28-year-old is prepping for a fight in February, but didn’t talk about the possibility of squaring up with ‘The Problem Child’. Let’s take a closer look.

David Benavidez might challenge Jake Paul

As much as Benavidez expressed his concern for Tyson’s well-being, he also showed some intriguing potential for a future matchup with Tyson’s last opponent. In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Benavidez was asked if he would challenge Jake Paul after his win over Tyson. He responded candidly, “If Jake had tried to hurt Mike Tyson, maybe I would challenge him.” While this statement didn’t confirm an imminent showdown, it left the door open for a possible fight between Benavidez and Paul in the future.

Benavidez, however, is focused on his upcoming fight against David Morrell on February 1, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This is set to be a highly personal match. Wondering why? It’s simple. According to Benavidez, Morrell has been “running his mouth” in the lead-up to the fight. ‘The Mexican Monster’ is prepared to bring the heat, saying, “As soon as I get you in the ring, I’m literally trying to implement as much damage as possible.”

Moreover, when asked if Morrell would be his toughest opponent to date, Benavidez acknowledged his February 1 opponent’s skill. He acknowledged that Morrell seems to have a “better reach, he has speed, he has footwork, he has power”. But if you think that’s enough to scare off Benavidez, then you’re wrong. The 29-0 boxer made it clear that he’s not intimidated. Having started training in boxing at the age of three, he’s ready to prove that Morrell’s skills won’t be enough to overcome him.

Looking ahead, fans will be watching closely as Benavidez takes on Morrell in February. What do you think? Will David Benavidez be able to prove that his experience and power are too much for David Morrell? And most importantly, could we one day see a fight between Jake Paul and David Benavidez? Do share your thoughts with us below!