Boston boxing trainers skeptical ahead of Mike Tyson and Jake Paul match
BOSTON - The polarizing boxing match between Youtuber Jake Paul and legendary Mike Tyson has boxing purists in Boston sick but still planning to tune in Friday night.
Paul knocked down at Boston gym
"They wouldn't make this in his prime. He only fights store mannequins. I call him Fake Paul," said James Curran, a local, long-time boxing trainer.
Like others, he wonders if it's a legitimate fight. It is a match with a 31-year age gap.
"If I told people I found Aladdin's lamp, you'd have 20 million people buying the Pay Per View, thinking it's gonna sell," laughed Curran.
You'll find Curran at Peter Welch's boxing gym in Southie. Most of the fighters here want to see Paul hit the mat, but what many don't know is that Paul was knocked down in this very gym.
"Some time ago Jake came in when he first started," remembered Peter Welch, owner of the gym that bears his name, "Ryan White was one of our top amateurs at the time, and he had just won the Golden Gloves. We didn't say anything, and Jake didn't know the difference. Ryan was a gentleman, he was nice to him until he wasn't, and then he caught him with a straight left hand, right hook combo, and dropped him."
"I think that everybody hopes it ends in a knockout, so I think that's what they'll be going for," smiled Kayla Pukys, a trainee at Welch's Gym.
Welch believes if it's a fair and legit fight, then Tyson should win every time. The last time Tyson lost was to Kevin McBride in 2005. The Massachusetts resident remembers the fight like it was yesterday.
"I still feel it today, it was like leprechauns playing drums in your head," joked McBride. "I think Mike Tyson is going to win. His power is unbelievable."
McBride fought a heated battle with Iron Mike. He said the legend even tried to bite him during the match. He has some advice for Paul.
"The key is to believe in yourself, and don't be intimidated by him," said McBride.
If Tyson wins, McBride could be his next fight. He's already lost 50 pounds in preparation with Welch ready to train him.
"So he can offer him out and have a rematch, and offer Tyson a rematch he deserves," said Welch.
When asked if he thought he could beat Tyson in a rematch, McBride said, "One-hundred percent, I have a good team around me with Peter Welch in my team. He is going to have me in tip-top shape. I'll be looking forward to it."