Stephen A. Smith expresses strong disapproval of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson being approved as a professional boxing match

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is not holding back his feelings about the upcoming sanctioned professional boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. MMA Fighting confirmed that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has approved the bout to be counted on both fighters’ pro records, with the event set to take place on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In a recent segment on First Take, Smith expressed his disappointment with the matchup, stating, “I’m sad, I’m saddened by it. I’m disgusted by it. I don’t like it one bit.” Smith questioned the decision to have Tyson, who is 57 years old and has not fought professionally since 2005, face off against Paul, who has yet to fight a reputable opponent in the boxing world.

Despite his criticism, Smith did acknowledge Paul’s impact on growing the sport’s fan base and his ability to promote himself effectively. However, he urged Paul to challenge himself by facing opponents who are more on par with his skill level and experience.

While the bout has been approved with certain waivers, including the use of 14-ounce gloves and eight two-minute rounds, Smith remains skeptical of the matchup and believes Paul should focus on facing challengers who can truly test his abilities in the ring.

As the fight date approaches, the debate over the legitimacy of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson matchup continues to stir controversy within the boxing community.