OSCAR DE LA HOYA credited Mike Tyson and Jake Paul for ‘creating attention that boxing hasn’t seen in a long time’.
The pair were in the headlines in November, as Tyson made his return to the ring after 15 years out, while Paul scored a viral knockout.
Iron Mike’s comeback aged 54 and YouTuber Paul’s venture into boxing have both been criticised for separate reasons.
But promoter 47-year-old De La Hoya – who is planning to fight once again – was in full support of Tyson’s exhibition spectacle against Roy Jones Jr.
He told Bloomberg: “It was entertainment.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that, for the first time in a long time, fans and people were congregating to watch an event.
“Mike Tyson is such an inspiration, he got in good shape and looked good.”
De La Hoya had a similar view on Paul, who is now 2-0 since turning professional at the start of 2020.
He said: “We’re appreciative of a Jake Paul who is a boxer now.
“He’s creating attention that boxing hasn’t seen in a long time.”
Tyson, 54, drew with Jones, 51, after eight rounds in what was his first fight since 2005.
But the night belonged to Paul, 23, who left ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 36, out cold and into a meme following a brutal KO.
And the social media phenomenon will return to the ring in 2021, having sent offers to retired UFC pair Ben Askren, 36, and Michael Bisping, 41.
Meanwhile, his older brother Logan, 25, is preparing to fight Floyd Mayweather, 43, in February.
The fellow internet sensation has fought only once as a pro, losing by split-decision to rival KSI, 27, with a two point deduction costing him the result.
