Beware of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, warns former referee Richard Steele

Richard Steele, a Boxing Hall of Fame judge, issued a warning about upcoming fight between Mike Tyson And Jake Paul.

“With Mike Tyson, it’s very dangerous even for the referee because you have to be close, but you have to be far to let them do their thing,” Steele, who officiated six of Tyson’s fights, told USA. TODAY Sports. “You always had to be aware of what was going on because one of Mike Tyson’s punches could really hurt the other guy. And maybe he doesn’t need to take the second hit.”

Who will inherit this responsibility is not yet publicly known.

Tela Mange, a spokeswoman for the state department that regulates combat sports in Texas, said last week that she had no news about the referee or judges for the Tyson-Paul fight scheduled for Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. .

One thing is certain: it won’t be Steele, who is now 80.

“No, man. I’ve had enough,” he said.

But he offered his thoughts on several topics, including two-minute rounds, which he believes would put Paul at a disadvantage in an eight-round fight.

“I don’t think the guy could go that distance with Tyson,” said Steele, who boxed professionally, going 12-4 from 1966-1970 before becoming a referee in 1972. “Because Tyson is so strong and he’s a former champion. .He knows what he’s doing and in two minutes…he can give it his all.”

Additionally, Steele said, the extra padding in the 14-ounce gloves that would be used instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves would not benefit Paul at all.

“It’s still a small glove, thinking about the strength of Mike Tyson,” he said.

Steele officiated a notable fight involving Tyson on October 23, 1999. Immediately after the bell rang at the end of the first round, Tyson struck and knocked out his opponent Orlin Norris.

Steele deducted two points from Tyson on the judges’ scorecards, and Norris said he injured his knee during the knockdown and was unable to continue the fight. The fight was stopped and declared invalid.

“He didn’t want anymore,” Steele said of Norris. “He just took the knee to get out of the fight.

“It was a definite foul, but I think the shot was on its way and he couldn’t stop it.”

Steele said he recently watched footage of Tyson, 58, working with a heavy bag as he prepared for his fight with Paul, 27.

“He’s still dangerous,” Steele said. “He has so much power… I just hope he doesn’t end up getting hurt or hurting the other guy.”

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