‘He’ll be a Human Punch Bag’ – Sad Truth About Mike Tyson Fighting Floyd Mayweather
The announcement that Mike Tyson will face off against Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition match next year and sparked huge reaction on social media and now, one of Money’s former opponents has offered his verdict on the fight and on Iron Mike’s chances against the undefeated icon.
The last few years have seen a number of boxing greats briefly come out of retirement to compete in exhibition bouts against celebrities, combat sports athletes or other former boxers. The likes of Roy Jones Jr and Evander Holyfield have both stepped back into the ring in recent years. As have Mayweather and Tyson. The former came out of retirement to take on Logan Paul, Deji Olatunji and Aaron Chalmers among others in exhibition bouts, while the latter lost to Jake Paul in an official boxing match.
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Now, they’re set to face each other and what would have been considered a dream match with both men being two of the greatest boxers ever, but with Tyson closing in on his 60th birthday, it’s safe to say his best days are long behind him and one of Mayweather’s former opponents is worried about Iron Mike’s chances and his health.
Ricky Hatton is Concerned For Tyson
During Mayweather’s prime, in the middle of his dominance across boxing, he faced off against Ricky Hatton. The Brit was also undefeated at the time, with an incredible 43-0 record heading into their bout in 2007. He was no match for Money, though, and experienced his greatness firsthand via a 10th round TKO loss. As a result, he knows exactly what Money can do and he’s worried about Tyson following the announcement of their match next year.
Shortly before the 59-year-old’s loss to Jake Paul, his health was brought under the spotlight when it was reported that he’d almost died just months earlier due to an ulcer flare-up onboard a plane. As a result, Hatton has slammed those around Tyson who are allowing him to get into the ring with someone like Mayweather and he thinks the former heavyweight champion will merely be a punching bag for his opponent.
Speaking exclusively to Metro, Hatton said:
“In normal circumstances, given the size difference, you would probably be more worried about Floyd’s well-being, but I think the opposite. I don’t think Mike will get near him and he’ll be a human punching bag to be honest. Mike’s approaching sixty, and you saw from his last fight that he’s well and truly past it. I think Mike could really end up getting hurt. I’m not sure I even believe it yet, to be honest, but it would be bad for boxing if it is allowed.
“There’s no winner. If Mike somehow hits Floyd and flattens him, then people will say ‘Look at the size difference, it shouldn’t have been allowed’. But if Floyd goes in there and boxes his head off and uses him as a punching bag then people will say ‘We knew that was going to happen.’ So there’s no positives to come out of it except a lot of dough, which clearly is the only thing people are thinking about.”
The contest is set to take place sometime in Spring 2026 with the location and venue yet to be disclosed.
