Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul "nod and wink" theory raised by Conor McGregor's coach

Conor McGregor has questioned whether Mike Tyson and Jake Paul have agreed an ending to their boxing fight.

‘Iron Mike’ is back in the ring on July 20 for a one-off fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul and there will be over a 30-year age gap between them on fight night. Paul has been subject to heavy criticism from boxing purists in recent years and fighting Tyson well past his prime has done him no favours in that regard.

Both Paul and Tyson have begun their training for the fight, which takes place at the 80,000 seat Dallas Cowboys stadium in Texas. McGregor’s coach John Kavanah has expressed his concern for Tyson still taking blows to the head and hopes the mega-event is more like a sparring session rather than a fight.

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul “nod and wink” theory raised by Conor McGregor’s coach

“I don’t know whether there’s a wink and a nod behind the stage,” Kavanagh said on The MMA Hour. “Is Tyson going to be 60, 58? Full force blows to the head at 58. No, it’s not a good idea, no matter who you are. You don’t need to be doing that. If it was kind of an exhibition, and they’re kind of sparring, great.

“I was asked about not necessarily just Mike, but this kind of YouTube boxing stuff, and my take on it now rather than being snobby about it is I just love anything that gets more kids involved in sports. Great if it’s combat sports, boxing wrestling, mixed martial arts, whatever the case may be. If Jake Paul is doing a good job of filling local boxing gyms, that’s a little bit of what we’re trying to do

“I’m not into the whole whatever else he’s doing, particularly in that bout. I don’t think someone approaching 60 needs to be fighting. It would appear Jake hits hard, he’s knocked out a few guys. I just hope that it is what it is, it’s kind of an entertaining thing, and they move around the ring and kind of spar. As long as it’s that, thumbs up.”

Specific details for the fight such as the number of rounds and contracted weight are currently unknown, but Paul and Tyson won’t be wearing headgear in the ring. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations [TDLR] will oversee the fight and it’s yet to be determined whether it will be a professional or exhibition contest.