Mike Tyson responds to Jake Paul's 'fat' videos ahead of boxing fight

Mike Tyson believes Jake Paul is taking the fight 'very seriously' despite 'The Problem Child's' antics leading up to the controversial showdown next month.

The pair are scheduled to go head-to-head on November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas. It will be recognised as a professional bout by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations and will take place at heavyweight.

With just weeks until the clash, many in the boxing community have slammed the decision to still go ahead with the contest after Tyson was forced to pull out of the original date back in July after suffering an ulcer flare up. After he was advised to stop training, the 58-year-old has returned to the gym and insists he's ready to fight.

While Tyson has ramped up training for the bout, Paul, on the other hand, has taken the time to upload a few videos over the last few weeks appearing to mock his opponent. Last month, the youngster uploaded a short clip of him lifting some fake weights while appearing to wear a fat belly suit. Earlier this week, the 27-year-old took to social media again, but this time, he offered 'Iron mike' $5million if the boxing legend can make it through the fourth round.

In a video uploaded to TikTok on the page of his gambling site, Betr, Paul was seen lying shirtless on a sofa as he stacked some money on his fake belly. “Mikey, Mikey, if you can last more than four rounds with me, I’ll give you an extra $5 million,’’ said Paul. There was a slight twist with his offer, though. 'The Problem Child' revealed that if Tyson couldn't last more than four rounds, then the boxing icon will need a permanent reminder of his defeat to the youngster. He added: “But, if you don’t, then you have to get a tattoo that says I love Jake Paul. Deal or no deal?’’

Despite the American using some time to poke fun at his heavyweight rival, Tyson believes that 'The Problem Child' is taking the fight seriously. At a recent LF* GO press conference, when asked for his thoughts on Paul's 'fat' videos, the boxing veteran responded: "I think he's taking it very seriously because his health depends on it. I'm not looking past him. I'm not taking it lightly at all."

While the American remains adamant that he too is taking the fight seriously, there are a few who would suggest otherwise. During a recent chat with Jimmy Kimmel, 'Iron Mike' claimed he was training six hours a day. "I am training extremely hard, I do six hours a day. I start at 11am and might leave the gym at 5pm," he said. Kimmel looked stunned and replied: "Oh no. 11am? So that's six hours straight, or is there a lunch break?" The former heavyweight champion admitted there was a small break as a shocked Kimmel gasped: "Oh no."

In the same interview, when Tyson was asked if he intends to be high during his bout with Paul, he replied: “I’m going to be so high off life, yeah." Kimmel then asked: “Will you be high on marijuana, as well?" Tyson replied: "That’s a possibility, too." The host then commented: "Oh no my bet is getting lower as we talk."