Eddie Hearn 'very sad' about Mike Tyson fighting Jake Paul after controversial Netflix announcement

Eddie Hearn has admitted he's 'very sad' about Mike Tyson and Jake Paul's upcoming fight, though does feel Netflix will be good for boxing.

The streaming service announced on Thursday that Tyson, 57, will be coming out of retirement in order to take on 27-year-old Paul.

Tyson, during his prime years, was a force to be reckoned with.

His victories over Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks in the 1980s are the stuff of legend.

Boxing news Eddie Hearn

But many have been left unhappy by Tyson's decision to fight Paul.

Paul has already lost to Tommy Fury throughout his career and Hearn, speaking to talkSPORT, has admitted he's 'very sad' about the situation.

"It's a big event," said the 44-year-old, who is currently in Saudi Arabia ahead of Anthony Joshua's fight with Francis Ngannou tonight.

"I'm the wrong person to ask because I love boxing, so for me it's incredibly sad.

"Mike Tyson's nearly 60. I get it, a lot of people are gonna tune in.

"But my opinion as a hardcore fight fan - it's very sad."

Netflix will be streaming the fight, with the streaming service keen to expand.

And Hearn thinks they can 'do a lot in the sport', adding: "That's a positive. Every platform that enters the sport is a positive for boxing.

"Netflix are a huge platform. I think they can do a lot in the sport.

"But that particular fight for real lovers of the sport, it's sad to see."

Both Paul and Tyson have since spoken out after their controversial showdown was confirmed.

Paul, speaking in the announcement, said: "It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard.

"Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.

“Within just two and a half years of founding MVP, we’re about to produce the biggest fight in history, a fight in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world – a testament to all we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.

"Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event."

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Mike Tyson

And Tyson reacted by saying: "I'm very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul.

'He's grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a 'kid' can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT."

Ricky Hatton, meanwhile, thinks the fight between Tyson and Paul is 'baffling'.

"Jake Paul and Mike Tyson can do what they like but show me the contract and then I’ll believe the fight happens," he told Spin Bet.

"If it is put in front of you then you’re not going to say no and would have to consider with the amount of money involved in it but this fight is absolutely baffling.

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"Mike seems to be getting better in looking after himself and is in a good place.

"We all know the history of Mike and what he went through but he is doing great and is in the gym training at 57. He still looks ferocious, and I have seen his punching power online so I think Jake Paul will be in trouble.

"You have to respect the younger guy will outbox him, and pick him off with speed because he's the smaller man, but from what I see on social media on how Mike is training, trust me I would not take up the offer to fight him so good luck to Jake.

"The name and brand gets you the opportunity these days and not what you’ve done in the ring. The name gets you the opportunity.

"But you don’t have to fight the best person in boxing now, it’s not what you’ve done or achieved. Gone are the days of fighting for a world title and people choose to double the purse and fight the YouTuber, and if being honest that’s the problem I have with boxing."