In a recent interview on MMA Junkie's "Spinning Back Clique," former MMA referee and current Bellator/PFL analyst "Big" John McCarthy expressed his disdain for the upcoming boxing bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. McCarthy criticized the fight, scheduled to take place on July 20 at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and to be live-streamed on Netflix, stating that it takes sideshow boxing to a new level of ridiculousness.

The main point of contention for McCarthy is the significant age difference between the two fighters. Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, is 30 years younger than the former heavyweight champion Tyson. At the time of the fight, Tyson will be 58 years old.

Comparing the situation to placing a retired football legend, like Joe Montana, on a football field, McCarthy argued that Tyson's age and diminished speed would likely impact his performance. McCarthy believes that even with the best conditioning, the natural effects of aging would hinder Tyson's ability to maintain his stamina in the ring. Additionally, he highlighted that Tyson's power would be less effective without the speed to deliver it accurately to his target.

To emphasize his point, McCarthy recalled a recent boxing match between Evander Holyfield and former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, where Belfort emerged victorious. McCarthy had advised Holyfield against fighting Belfort, who was 15 years younger and in his late 50s.

Expressing his concern, McCarthy expressed his hope that the Paul vs. Tyson fight would not come to fruition. He viewed anyone eager to see Tyson return to boxing as merely nostalgic for the dominant force he once was. McCarthy emphasized that the ferocious Mike Tyson of the past no longer exists and doubted Tyson's ability to defeat Paul. He expressed a genuine concern that Tyson might sustain injury in the fight.

In the end, McCarthy's opinion served as a cautionary perspective, questioning the legitimacy and purpose of the matchup and urging fans to acknowledge that the Mike Tyson they remember is no longer the same. Whether or not his predictions hold true, the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul continues to generate immense interest among boxing enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.