Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins has surprisingly thrown his support behind the upcoming bout between and Jake Paul, despite having previously criticised the fight.

The iconic pair are scheduled to face off in what is shaping up to be a for boxing fans.

While the main event has garnered much excitement, some voices in the boxing world have questioned the wisdom of proceeding with the match, particularly after Tyson had to pull out of their initial July date due to an ulcer flare-up during a flight.

Earlier in the year, speaking to Fight Hub TV, Hopkins, a Hall of Famer, described the matchup as "degrading". "I don't like it. I look at Mike different in the way of my era, like people looked at Ali", he expressed. "And I looked at Ali different too, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson.

"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."

In an unexpected shift, with only a week remaining before the much-anticipated bout, the 59-year-old has reversed his earlier stance and is now eagerly anticipating the match-up. Manifesting excitement for the event, he proclaimed: "I think it's a great way of showing the world 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 pretend. You don't pretend in this sport. You play basketball, you play football, you play hockey, you play soccer, you play golf, but you don't play boxing. Boxing is a sport you don't play".

Offering his perspective on the Texas heavyweight clash Hopkins weighed in: "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".

Jake Paul, also known as 'The Problem Child', is heading into the upcoming bout on a high, following his victory over former UFC fighter Mike Perry this past July. Meanwhile, boxing icon Mike Tyson hasn't been in a professional match since 2005 when he faced defeat at the hands of Kevin McBride.

Although Tyson retired after that fight, he made a return to the ring for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. just four years ago.

Roy Jones Jr. , during an interview with MMANYTT, divulged his thoughts on the anticipated fight: "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".