Mike Tyson has been one of the key figures in the current exhibition craze that is gaining momentum in the boxing landscape.
His bout with Roy Jones Jr at the backend of 2020 was well received and since that event, the fight game has been dominated by former leading fighters combined with celebrities demonstrating their eagerness to take part in such contests.
The most recent example, Floyd Mayweather’s battle with Logan Paul, had widespread appeal which included Tyson, who watched the show. The former heavyweight champion has not ruled out returning to the ring in future but he believes that Mayweather should return to competitive boxing if he’s to lace up all the gloves again and fight former rival, Manny Pacquiao.
“I think Floyd should keep on trying. I don’t think he should fight a f—ing cruiserweight. I think he should continue fighting guys his own weight. What the f— is he doing? Fight Pacquiao again or something, keep in shape,” said Tyson during an Instagram Live interview with Zab Judah, transcribed by Boxing Scene.
“Now that I think about it now, he should have had Paul lose a lot of weight. I was surprised [he didn't do that]. A smart fighter would have made him suffer, made him starve. It was harder than Floyd anticipated, I believe.
"Was he boxing a cruiserweight? How did he train for this? With experience? I believe when [Logan] was hitting him, he was hurting him a little bit because he’s not a 160-pound guy. [Logan is] a 190-pounder. I think that’s a heavyweight. 190-pounds to me is a heavyweight. I think [Mayweather] can learn from this one, fight guys more in his own category as far as weight is concerned.
“I think he’d make more money if he fought Pacquiao again. Floyd didn't make the guy chase him. You make the big guy chase you. He needs to fight a guy at more of his weight division, 155-pounds or 160-pounds."