Eddie Hearn branded a 'hypocrite' for Mike Tyson comments as Jake Paul's manager lets rip

Jake Paul's manager has responded to Eddie Hearn's comments about the upcoming fight with Mike Tyson, which he called 'incredibly sad'.

The news broke on Thursday that YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul will be fighting former Heavyweight champion Tyson in Texas on July 20. The event will be shown on Netflix. It's not yet clear if it will be an official fight or an exhibition bout.

Tyson, who is 30 years older than Paul, last fought professionally in 2005. Paul, who recently beat Ryan Bourland in his 10th professional fight, will be facing a man who became the youngest heavyweight champion ever at age 20 when he beat Trevor Berbick in 1986. Tyson had 28 professional fights since starting in 1985 at age 18, and he won 26 of them by knockout. When the fight was announced, Paul said on X: "My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep."

Matchroom boxing promoter Hearn criticised the upcoming fight, calling it "really sad." But Paul's manager Nakisa Bidarian said on talkSPORT: "It's incredibly ironic and, as usual, hypocritical of Eddie Hearn to talk negatively about another event."

"Eddie was standing between Manny Pacquiao, a very small-statured 45-year-old man, and his next opponent, a 27-year-old Matchroom fighter who has had issues getting licensed in the UK to box again. It's incredibly sad."

Hearn previously told Mail Sport: "For me, it's really sad because Mike Tyson was one of my idols growing up, and to see him fighting at 57, 58... but I also understand that a lot of people are going to tune in and watch."