Mike Tyson returns to professional boxing later this year for the first time in almost two decades.
He will be facing Jake Paul, a man with nowhere near the experience or skill Tyson once possessed, but who has, at 27, youth and activity on his side.
Tyson is now 58-years-old and, other than an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr a few years back, last fought in 2005 against Kevin McBride.
It was clear ‘Iron’ Mike had little interest in being in the ring that night and he resorted to dirty tactics when McBride found success. He would ultimately give up on his stool and retire from the sport entirely in his post-fight interview.
“I’m just fighting to take care of my bills basically, I don’t have the stomach for this no more. I’m more conscious of my children, looking at my appearance… I don’t have that ferocity. I’m not an animal anymore.”
It was a sad ending to the career of the man who still holds the record as the youngest ever heavyweight world champion. Most feel that the Paul fight will do nothing to reverse that sentiment, however McBride himself believes his former opponent will be coming out on top. Clearly, too.
Speaking to Instant Casinos, he said the fight will be over in two rounds via Tyson destruction.
“When you’re a fighter like Tyson I can tell you he’s going in there to win and to take care of business. He does not want to look back and think he let Jake Paul off the hook. He’s going in there to win and Paul will need to be on his best form to survive. I can tell from the media that Tyson has done so far that he wants to win, it’s in his blood, the competition will never leave him.”
Whilst most see the short clips of Tyson training and question how that work will translate over eight two-minute rounds, McBride has been spurred on by them, saying he recognises that Tyson’s power is still there.
“Jake Paul’s getting a little bit better, he’s getting more ring experience, but he’s going to find out the power Tyson has. Paul is maybe half the age of Tyson but Tyson is so dangerous. Power is the last thing you lose. You can see it on the videos he’s posting, it may only be a short video, but it’s unbelievable power.
All Mike has to do is connect and Jake Paul will be seeing Christmas lights for the next week. He’ll time him in the first couple rounds and it will be over.”
