Krassyuk: "Paul is Ruining Traditional Boxing"

Alexander Krassyuk, promoter and CBDO of Ready To Fight, expressed his views on the upcoming match between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) and former undisputed world champion Mike Tyson. Asked about the Tyson vs. Paul event, he said:

- What Jake Paul is doing is unpleasant for someone from the boxing world. He is ruining traditional boxing. On the other hand, he meets the standards of the times. His audience isn't the one that grew up on boxing. They might not even know who Mike Tyson is. His audience consists of young guys who followed his antics on YouTube. At some point, Paul decided to become an athlete. He boxed with rappers, then with UFC fighters. He hasn't yet fought a real boxer – I don't consider Tommy Fury a boxer. If he were up against a real boxer, the difference would be clear. But there's no sense for him to box with real boxers. He doesn't aim to become a world champion. His ambition is to create maximum hype, stir things up, and make money off it. And he's doing that splendidly, better than most traditional boxers. So how can you fault that? A man is doing his job, and doing it very well. If it works, he's doing something right. Of course, it destroys the foundations and traditions of boxing. What can I say?.. Personally, I don't like it.

- As a fan? And as a promoter?

- No. As a promoter, I dislike it. Let me explain. He really is destroying it. Because in the long term, guys like him destroy the very idea of professional boxing. Look at them and what do you see? That you can engage in boxing without really being a boxer. Be a YouTuber, talk about something, then train a little and immediately fight Mike Tyson. Maybe even beat him. That's unlikely, but still.

As a fan, I just don't know how to see it. Mike Tyson... Let's face the truth. How old is he? 60? 58? Not to say that he's a grandpa. But a good veteran. And here's this young buck, 30 years old. In ordinary life, it would already be unpleasant because you should respect your elders.

But there's money. And Mike Tyson agrees for money. And so does he. What will happen? If the fight is real, I'd say the old man will teach the young guy some manners. If it's an exhibition, they'll come up with some scenario. That's how I see it. But the fight can't be real. They won't give the old man a license.

- It's already decided that (at least formally) it will be an exhibition fight.

- Obviously. It won't be real. And in America, no one will give such a boxer a license. They take this seriously.

The bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will take place on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event will be broadcast on Netflix.