Former MMA star Michael Bisping has condemned Jake Paul for saying 'one of us has to die' ahead of his fight with Mike Tyson later this year.
It was confirmed back in March that the two men would be going up against each other, despite a massive 30-year age gap between the two fighters.
Paul, speaking recently, said 'one of us has to die' when discussing the upcoming bout.
"It’s war. All is fair in love and war," he said.
Boxing news: Jake Paul recently said 'one of us has to die' ahead of his fight with Mike Tyson
REUTERS
"I love the guy, but as soon as it turned into a pro fight, one of us has to die.
"He's taking this very, very seriously and that's what's going to make the fight amazing for all the fans."
Though he was clearly making the comments lightly, Bisping has now condemned the 27-year-old for his choice of words.
Middleweight boxer Sherif Lawal recently died at the age of 29 following his professional debut against Malam Valera earlier this month.
Lewal crashed to the canvas in round four after being caught in his temple, with the fight then being waved off.
His trainer, CJ Huffein, and the ringside doctor rushed to his aid in an attempt to save his life.
However, he was sadly pronounced dead after being taken to Northwick Park Hospital.
Bisping, speaking on his YouTube channel, has now blasted Paul for his choice of words - which came just days after Lewal's tragic death.
“Shame on him for saying that," he said. "Shame on him for saying that and taking these words so lightly because the reality is a lot of boxers die every single year.
"It’s not a game that you play, you don’t pick it up and put it down, you’re not a part-time boxer, okay.
"This is a real sport, a deadly sport, one of the most vicious and it’s a sport where a lot of people die every year."
When the fight between Paul and Tyson was originally announced, many expected it to be an exhibition bout.
However, it's since emerged that it has been sanctioned as a professional fight instead.
And Paul claims it was Tyson's idea, rather than his own, with the former YouTuber happy to agree.
"He was the one who wanted it to be a pro-fight," he said at a press conference earlier this week.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Boxing news: Michael Bisping has condemned Jake Paul for his 'death' comments to Mike Tyson
GETTY
"We were figuring out the rules and Mike said, 'I want it to be a pro fight.
"'I want to end this kid and stop everything he's doing.'
"So I agreed to make it a pro fight and it's as real as it gets."
He continued: "I just want to make it clear that Mike Tyson is the one who wanted it to be a professional fight.
"I said to Nakisa [Bidarian] if that is what Mike wants that is fine, but make sure you tell Mike there is no holding back.
Boxing news: Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will square off on July 20
REUTERS
"Whatever happens now happens and this is war now.
"If he puts me down I can deal with that, but if I put him down, he needs to be the one making the decision on whether or not he can deal with it."
