Carl Froch: “We all want to see Jake Paul flattened”
The British former multiple world champion has criticised Mike Tyson for “playing his role” in a “pantomime” bout against YouTuber Jake Paul.
Carl Froch has never been one to mince words, and he’s certainly not holding back when it comes to the upcoming bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. The former world champion has joined the chorus of boxers who aren’t thrilled about the November showdown. But in classic Froch fashion, he’s going a step further, accusing the 58-year-old Tyson of following a script in a press conference that, to him, looked more like bad theater than genuine promotion.
Froch shared his thoughts in a video on his YouTube channel, “Froch on Fighting,” where he laid out his grievances with the whole spectacle. He’s no stranger to calling out Jake Paul - he’s done it multiple times over the years, but those challenges have never turned into anything concrete. Maybe that’s why Froch sounds particularly frustrated as he watches Paul land a fight with a legend like Tyson, while his own call-outs have gone unanswered.
What really grinds Froch’s gears is the sheer absurdity of the matchup. Tyson is nearly twice Paul’s age and has already had to reschedule the fight once due to health issues. To Froch, this isn’t just a bad idea - it’s a dangerous one. He’s not alone in thinking this fight shouldn’t happen. Many boxing fans and experts have voiced similar concerns, questioning how wise it is for a man pushing 60 to step into the ring with a much younger and stronger opponent.
In his latest video, Froch dissected the recent press conference, calling it out for being as fake as they come. “Mike Tyson, I think he is just playing his role,” Froch said, not holding back on his disdain. “In my opinion, Mike Tyson has probably got the script. Because when I saw that press conference there was a half-hearted shove. Jake Paul stood there stern-looking and didn’t even say anything, so to me, it all just looked contrived and fake. It’s not even pantomime, it is worse than pantomime because, for me, as an ex-pro boxer, it is just not enjoyable to watch.”
Froch isn’t just throwing shade; he’s outright accusing Tyson of playing along with a pre-planned narrative. He points to that awkward moment in the press conference where Tyson gave Paul a lackluster shove, a moment that left viewers scratching their heads. To Froch, this wasn’t just a bad promo - it was a sign that the whole thing is more about selling a show than putting on a real fight.
As much as Froch dislikes the setup, he’s clear about one thing: he wants to see Jake Paul go down. Hard. Froch is rooting for Tyson to knock Paul out, even if he admits that it’s probably not going to happen. “We want to see Jake Paul get flattened, that is the appeal. Can Mike Tyson render Jake Paul unconscious? But, unfortunately, in the real world that will not happen,” Froch said, expressing what many boxing fans might be thinking, even if they don’t say it out loud.
Despite his reservations, Froch isn’t all doom and gloom about Tyson’s return. He wishes the former heavyweight champ well and hopes he walks away from the fight in one piece, with a nice paycheck to boot. But that doesn’t change his fundamental stance: this fight is a bad idea, and it’s more about spectacle than sport. “It shouldn’t be happening, I don’t like it, but I hope Tyson can go in there and not get hurt and make a few quid,” Froch concluded, leaving no doubt about where he stands.
Froch’s take on the Paul-Tyson fight is a mix of concern, frustration, and a touch of grudging respect for Tyson’s willingness to step into the ring one more time. Whether you agree with him or not, one thing’s for sure: Carl Froch isn’t afraid to call it like he sees it, and he sees this fight as nothing more than a scripted sideshow that could end badly for everyone involved.