Two-time heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury insists that the upcoming clash between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is a ‘fantastic event.’

Since confirmation of the heavyweight showdown between the two stars, many within the boxing community have been quick to criticise the event. Recently, promoter Eddie Hearn doubled down on criticism regarding the upcoming clash. The Brit revealed will attend the event at the AT&T Stadium to support Katie Taylor in her mouthwatering rematch with rival Amanda Serrano, but claimed he will leave before the main event.

“We received a massive offer for Katie. I’m not going to tell her she’s not allowed to fight on that card,” he told BBC Sport. “Financially it’s the biggest purse of her career. I won’t be watching the main event. We’ll be there defending the belts, and then I’ll be off.”

While many have been quick to slam the event, Fury is one of the few who remains optimistic and believes those who aren’t interested in the blockbuster showdown are ‘jealous.’ “I think it’s a fantastic event. Anyone who don’t think it’s a fantastic event is jealous,” he told ProBoxingFans.

“Mainly people who ain’t getting paid from it will be jealous, obviously, because it’s not them. So, they’d probably speak bad about it. But, obviously, I’m not involved in it, I’m not getting paid from it, but I can see a massive event on a large scale when I see it and I can appreciate that. I appreciate Mike performing at his age and I appreciate Jake performing and bringing so many eyeballs to boxing.”

Speaking ahead of his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk back in May, ‘The Gypsy King’ was once again full of praise for the bout – which will be streamed live on Netflix. “Only jealous fighters [feel weird about the showdown],” he said. “Negative people who are not making any money. I think it’s fantastic. It’s created a lot of money.” He added: “I get to see the legend in Mike Tyson back in the ring in my era… I know [Jake and Logan Paul have] a lot of haters, however, I’m not one of them.”

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will fight on Friday night live on Netflix

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will fight on Friday night live on Netflix ( 

Image:

Getty Images for Netflix)

Fury concluded by saying he hopes the former undisputed heavyweight champion gets the job done. “I think it’s fantastic, I think it’s created a lot of money. One for Texas, selling all of those tickets. That means it’s a big influence of dollars being spent in the local area.

“All of Mike’s team and Jake’s team is being fed from it and a lot of rent is being paid. I don’t know what to be negative about, I’m over the moon about it and looking forward to it. If Mike Tyson’s hits anybody, I don’t care if he’s 90, he’s going to knock them out cold isn’t he? He’s Iron Mike Tyson, the baddest man on the planet. Jake Paul is very experienced now and he’s had a lot of fights but obviously I have to back Mike Tyson for the knockout as he always backs me.”

The heavyweight showdown between Tyson and Paul will take place on Friday, November 15, with the fight taking place in front of up to 80,000 fans at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Friday’s clash will see the pair go glove-to-glove in a professional showdown in an eight two-minute round format – as opposed to the more standard three-minute rounds. The sanctioned fight has already been approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the standard gloves.