Dave Allen is concerned about Mike Tyson’s health ahead of his upcoming bout with Jake Paul.
The British boxer insists that it is extremely dangerous for Tyson to be taking punches to the head at his age.
By the time ‘Iron Mike’ steps between the ropes, he will have recently celebrated his 58th birthday while Paul is in his athletic prime at 27.
Allen is adamant that the fight shouldn’t happen and made his feelings clear on Thursday morning.
“As far as the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight goes, I think it’s dangerous,” he told talkSPORT Breakfast.
“Mike Tyson is one of the greatest heavyweights that ever lived but at 58 years of age, he shouldn’t be getting hit.
“Jake Paul is a young man, he’s in shape, and he’s ended up being a half-decent professional boxing prospect.
“So for me it’s dangerous and it shouldn’t be happening.”
Allen’s concerns are shared by medical professionals.
Stephen Hughes, a Senior Lecturer in Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, recently highlighted the potentially fatal injuries Tyson could suffer by fighting Paul.
“In older people, the brain tends to lose volume,” Hughes explained. “This lengthens the bridging veins and makes them more vulnerable to rupture.
“Bleeding from these torn veins causes a collection of blood that presses on the brain. This causes confusion, loss of consciousness, neurological disability and, in some cases, death.
“Alcoholism is known to accelerate brain shrinkage, and it appears that Tyson has this as a past risk factor.”
Allen is set to return to the ring for the first time since his defeat to Frazer Clarke last year when he boxes Jake Darnell on a FightZone show, which is being broadcast live on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube channel.
The fight takes place this weekend, Saturday, April 6, at Skate Central, Sheffield.
Allen has undergone an incredible body transformation ahead of the bout with the ‘White Rhino’ dropping over two stone in weight.
He added: “Six weeks ago I decided to get back in the gym and train myself how I would train the lads, 34 days ago I decided I wanted to live a healthier more active life for my kids and today I’m 29lbs lighter and feel like a new man.
“Big thanks to my old man coming over twice a week training me, big thanks for Team Catterall inviting me over to Tenerife and keeping me going.
“This isn’t about the boxing though and this is only the beginning, I fight a week today and I will be fighting again after that all being well with new targets to hit.
“Boxing used me for years, now I’m gonna use boxing to get me the best six-pack anyone ever seen.”
Catch all the action at talkBOXING on Saturday, April 6.
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News Summary:
- ‘It shouldn’t be happening’ – Dave Allen gives his verdict on ‘dangerous’ Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight
- Check all news and articles from the latest Boxing updates.