World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst has voiced serious concerns over safety standards in influencer boxing events.
His comments come in the wake of the high-profile bout between YouTube star Jake Paul and 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson last November.
Van der Vorst has called for greater protective measures in such exhibitions, which have surged in popularity in recent years.
The boxing chief believes current safety protocols may be insufficient for these widely-watched spectacles.
Mike Tyson's loss to Jake Paul has come under question
Reuters
"Such fights are nice for newer audiences but the safety of the boxers is a big question," van der Vorst told The Indian Express.
The World Boxing president admitted that even his own family was drawn to the spectacle.
"Even my daughters were hooked to the event," he revealed.
His concerns highlight the growing tension between boxing's commercial appeal and athlete welfare.
Van der Vorst believes additional safeguards are necessary when staging bouts featuring influencers or ageing legends.
The boxing chief pointed to his own experience in sanctioning influencer events.
"The event I sanctioned in the Netherlands had thicker gloves with head guards in order to guarantee a safe outcome," he explained.
This approach stands in stark contrast to the Paul-Tyson bout, which featured standard professional boxing equipment.
Van der Vorst's model suggests influencer boxing could continue whilst implementing additional protective measures.
The Paul-Tyson fight at AT&T Stadium in Texas became the most streamed sporting event in history when broadcast live on Netflix.
The bout was originally scheduled for June but was postponed after Tyson collapsed on a flight and coughed up blood.
The contest featured eight two-minute rounds and lacked the intensity of Tyson's prime years.
Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson but in truth, the fight was a farce
Reuters
Paul, more than 30 years younger than his opponent, ultimately won by unanimous decision.
Following the fight, Tyson insisted he had "no regrets" despite his health struggles.
"I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won," he wrote on social media.
Tyson added that having his children see him complete eight rounds against a much younger opponent was "an experience that no man has the right to ask for."
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Mike Tyson was well-beaten by Jake Paul, who is 31 years younger than him
Reuters
World Boxing was recently granted provisional status by the International Olympic Committee.
The organisation replaces the International Boxing Association as the sport's premier governing body.
Van der Vorst has emphasised that boxers' safety remains "paramount" as World Boxing develops its competition rules.
"We have established a working group of our medical committee on developing a policy based on sex, age and weight," he said.
The organisation is consulting experts from various disciplines to determine eligibility criteria for competitions.
