We’re now just a couple of weeks away from what could potentially (and horrifically) be the single most-watched boxing fight in history between legendary world champion Mike Tyson and controversial social media star, Jake Paul.
Whilst the bout between 58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul has been universally slammed by almost every boxing fan out there, ‘Iron’ is now firing back at those critics who believe that he’s too old to compete on such a global stage.
Mike Tyson candid about his health ahead of divisive Jake Paul boxing fight
Ever since the fight was first announced, but especially after an ulcer flare-up forced the event to be postponed from July to November, Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul has been condemned by the global boxing community as a farce.
Yet despite being 31 years his senior, the iconic former champion believes that he still has the ability and the durability to compete with ‘The Problem Child’, telling reporters at a recent LF*GO event that “It’s a fight that I’m preparing for and training a lot harder for, I’m just ready to go.”
When asked what the difference is between today’s Mike Tyson and the one who dominated the heavyweight division all those years ago, ‘Iron’ was quick to joke “Well, I get more massages now.”
Addressing some of the more serious concerns around his health, Tyson would explain that just because he’s closing in on 60, that doesn’t mean that fans should downplay his goals or overlook what he brings to the table.
“But younger doesn’t necessarily mean better, it’s just good hype for the fight but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s [going to be] better; I still spar with younger guys, younger than him who are better fighters than he is, so I’m just prepared to fight.
“The reason why you don’t see most fighters [my age] doing this is because they’re not Mike Tyson… If you see any other fighter my age, they don’t look how I look, they don’t perform like I perform, they don’t work out the way I work out.”
As one of the consensus greatest boxers of all time, Tyson hopes to deliver one thing and one thing only when he steps back into the ring on November 15: “A lot of pain.”
- EXCLUSIVE: UFC legend wouldn’t be surprised if Paul vs Tyson is called off at the last minute
His opponent, Jake Paul, has certainly made the most of his social media platform as a tool to promote the upcoming fight; having recently donned a ‘fat suit’ in one viral video as a way of mocking fans who claim he isn’t taking the bout seriously.
“Listen, I think he’s taking it very seriously because his health depends on it,” warned Tyson in response, adding how “There’s no way that I’m looking past him and I’m not taking this lightly at all.
“I think when I was fighting professionally, I was too stressed out, I never got the chance to relax, never had the chance really enjoy being me, the chance to enjoy my championship because everything was coming at me.
“This is the moment where I can enjoy myself as a human being,” acknowledged the former champion, thankful that he now has “better life skills than I had when I was fighting.”
- DID YOU KNOW: Georges St-Pierre shares unlikely friendship with boxing champ Artur Beterbiev
Eddie Hearn claims he’ll leave the arena before Mike Tyson makes his ringwalk
Whilst the illustrious boxing icon is looking forward to entering the arena on November 15, another can’t wait to get out of there as quickly as he can – Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn.
Hearn will be sat ringside for the co-main event of the evening when GWOAT Katie Taylor rematches Amanda Serrano; and as soon as that fight is over, he’s out the door.
“I think it’s a huge shame that one of the biggest legends of the sport comes back 20 years after everybody knew he shouldn’t be boxing anymore at 55 or however old he is,” Hearn told TalkSport earlier in the week.
“He’s 58?! Jesus Christ, he’s nearly 60. Like, you have no respect for the sport of boxing if you put Mike Tyson in a ring at 58 years of age… And if he gets hurt, then it’s on those people… I’ll watch Katie Taylor and then I’ll leave. I can’t watch that.”
Taylor vs Serrano, followed by Tyson vs Paul goes down live on Netflix, November 15.
