As 27-year-old Jake Paul gears up to face 58-year-old Mike Tyson in Texas later this week, Paddy Power has not pulled any punches when it comes to weighing in on the age-gap boxing buzz.
Taking a playful jab at the spectacle in a new video, the leading bookmaker has recruited former world champion Tony Bellew to find Paul’s next opponent and on an unexpected contender: 70-year-old Maurice, a “hard nut” ready to take on the social media sensation. With Paul’s recent record of picking “seasoned” opponents, Paddy Power’s latest video doesn’t pull any punches and follows fresh research from the brand regarding fan attitudes around the event.
Research released by Paddy Power reveals 52% of fans feel Paul is “crossing a line” by challenging the much older Tyson, with 25% calling it “disrespectful.” Another 22% think Paul should face someone his own age.
This sentiment comes through as Bellew’s retirement home recruits prepare to take on Paul, showing what happens when the boxing age-gap trend goes to an extreme. Paddy Power stats show that 72% of fans see Paul’s fight with Tyson as more of a “media stunt” than a serious contest, though 60% admit that this spectacle is what makes it entertaining.
With trash talk now a staple in the sport, 46% of fans say social media banter adds to their excitement, and 25% say they’re more likely to pay to watch when the online rivalry heats up. Bellew’s crew of seniors, with their no-filter comments and quips, bring a unique spin to the trash-talk culture that’s become essential to modern boxing.
The research also highlights that 15% of fans feel boxing has shifted toward entertainment, with social media trash talk as important as the punches thrown in the ring. However, 30% still prefer a focus on skill and respect, showing a divide between traditional fans and the new social-media-driven audience.
Paddy Power’s video captures this shift, as Maurice and his team of retirees embody the debate over boxing’s new direction - bringing the fun while subtly asking: Is boxing about the skills, or the spectacle? To see Maurice, Norman, and the rest of the retirement home team get ready to give Paul a run for his money, head to Paddy Power’s social channels including over on X.com.
