Boxing legend makes dramatic U-turn on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight

Boxing royalty Bernard Hopkins has backed and to serve up a treat for fans - despite originally slating the fight.

The two stars are set to go head-to-head at the AT&T Stadium in Texas in what promises to be an intriguing night of . While many are highly-anticipating the main event, there are a few within the boxing community who have slammed the decision to go ahead with the fight, especially after 'Iron Mike' was

In an interview with earlier this year, Hall of Fame fighter Hopkins labelled the fight as "degrading". “I don’t like it. I look at Mike different in the way of my era, like people looked at Ali", he said. "And I looked at Ali different too, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson".

He added: "I think it’s become more of a sideshow, with some sweat, maybe some blood if we lucky. I won’t watch it. I could watch two turtles race and be more excited … It’s because of how I look at Mike Tyson. I shared, not only the ring with Mike Tyson a few times, but the era. Right? A little tip of the era. I just think it degrades him.”

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

However, with just one week to go until the clash, it seems as if the 59-year-old has now made a U-turn on his comments and is now chomping at the bit to see the pair go head-to-head. “I think it’s a great way of showing the that entertainment", . "What I’ve done and what I’m promoting right now [through] Golden Boy and my partner Oscar De La Hoya is entertainment. This is entertainment but it’s also boxing on the highest, dangerous level.

"You can’t copy that in any way or pretending. You don’t pretend in this sport. You play basketball, you play football, you play hockey, you play soccer, you play , but you don’t play boxing. Boxing is a sport you don’t play".

Weighing in on the heavyweight showdown in Texas, Hopkins added: “I think either of them can beat each other if they have the right strategy and go in with the right intent to actually beat each other up and make it what people believe it is. But I don’t think they’re gonna go all the way out. I think it’s gonna be sweat, maybe some blood, but I don’t think that it’s gonna be something we’re used to seeing if you’re saying it’s boxing. But if it’s entertainment, you’re gonna get what you supposed to get”.

'The Problem Child' comes into the showdown off the back of a win against former fighter Mike Perry back in July. As for Tyson, the boxing veteran hasn't fought a professional contest since suffering a defeat to former Irish boxer Kevin McBride back in 2005. While 'Iron Mike' hung up his gloves that night, he did return to the ring four years ago in an exhibition showdown with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr.

In a recent , Jones Jr : “I believe in Mike, likely via decision. But if he wants to finish it, he can. Yet, if he’s just looking to enjoy the fight, he might take it slow and have some fun".