Despite taking significant steps as a fighter in recent years, one former world champion still doesn't believe that Jake Paul can defeat a real boxer.
Bermane Stiverne, a onetime ruler at heavyweight, is the latest fight figure to deliver his verdict ahead of The Problem Child's bout with Mike Tyson.
At his peak, the former was a devastating fighter who captured the WBC title before losing the belt to Deontay Wilder via a points decision.
This weekend, Paul and Tyson will finally collide following a lengthy build-up that saw a summer showdown postponed after the latter suffered an ulcer flare-up.
The younger man begins the fight as a favourite with bookmakers, but even though it is obvious he has improved as a fighter, Stiverne is still not impressed.
“I never really saw Jake Paul as a contender but it's also a different generation," he when speaking to Baccarat.net .
In my generation, a fighter would have a certain amount of fights in the amateurs, go to the Olympic Games and then turn professional,”
“But that was my era and not every fighter has the chance to go to the Olympics or win a significant tournament as an amateur and then turn professional.
"We all have [a] different route. I watched his fight against Tommy Fury, and he lost against a real boxer.
"It was the first time he had fought a pro rather than an MMA fighter or a basketball player. He isn’t able to beat a real fighter that’s the thing."
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