The former professional boxer Mike Tyson (57) will once again be in the ring when he meets Jake Paul (27) in the USA on 20 July.
Paul has only gone ten professional fights, while “Iron Mike” is regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers in history.
Tyson boxed as recently as 2020 when he met Jones Jr. in Los Angeles. The match was controversially ruled a draw.
The American admits that he is just as scared before this fight.
– I have a weird personality – however, I don’t think it’s weird. Whatever I’m afraid of, I do it. That’s the way it is. I was afraid of Roy, says Tyson according to American media and continues:
– I weighed 45 kilos too much, I was old and I said: “Let’s do it”. Whatever I’m afraid of, I face it. That’s my personality. Right now I’m terrified.
Tyson admits that he gets less nervous the closer the fight gets.
view more
Receives criticism
Paul, on the other hand, started his career as a YouTube star and later became more known for boxing. Tyson, for his part, put the boxing gloves on the shelf way back in 2005.
The game has already had to endure a lot of criticism after it was launched just under a month ago.
Among other things, the promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that it is “very sad” that Tyson is returning to the boxing ring, while the Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez has stated that the fight does not interest him.
It is nevertheless expected that the match will attract many millions of viewers worldwide.
– I’m 58 and so what? I get billions of viewers just by talking about boxing, says Tyson to the Reuters news agency.
– They are jealous
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. There is room for around 80,000 spectators and Tyson is ready:
– Everyone, including most of the performers, is jealous… They had not been able to get a full arena. Who is 58 years old and manages to sell out an arena of 80,000? Why do you think he wants to fight with me and no one else?
Tyson has struggled with mental health issues since his retirement and also had to use a wheelchair at one point, as a result of sciatica.
In recent months, the 57-year-old has posted several photos on social media that show that he is in good physical shape.
However, it will be no easy task to beat Paul, who has nine wins in ten fights as a professional boxer since his debut four years ago.
