Mike Tyson has disclosed why he’s stepping into the ring against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
At 58, Tyson is preparing to face Paul, marking a return to boxing nearly two decades after his last competitive bout.
The former heavyweight champion last fought in 2005 when he lost to Kevin McBride, subsequently announcing his retirement from boxing.
Despite his long hiatus, Tyson has decided to return to the sport by agreeing to fight the 27-year-old Paul. The match is scheduled for November 15, following a delay from its original date in July.
The fight was initially planned for July 20, with a broadcast on Netflix.
However, due to Tyson’s health concerns, the match had to be postponed.
Netflix released a statement at that time: “Unfortunately Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will not face-off on July 20 as planned. Tyson’s recent ulcer flare up has limited his ability to train fully for the next few weeks.
“The fight will be rescheduled for a date later this year after Mike’s able to resume training with no limitations and both fighters can have equal time to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup!”
Tyson later assured fans on Twitter that he was ‘100 percent’ again and boasted: “Even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”
In a statement, he expressed gratitude for the support and mentioned that he was advised to ‘lighten’ his training ‘for a few weeks to rest and recover.’ He emphasized that his body ‘is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s’ and promised to return to his ‘full training schedule soon.’
The boxing icon stated: “Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good. I appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable performance later this year.”
The fight is scheduled for later this month at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tyson recently addressed one of the motivations behind his decision to face Paul, notwithstanding the criticism he’s faced.
Last month, British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn described the fight as ‘dangerous and disrespectful.’
“I’m in awe of him – he’s one of my favourite ever fighters, one of the greatest of all time – but he’s a 58-year-old man,” Hearn told BBC Sport.
“You only need to speak to him and look at him to know this guy should not be in a ring again.”
Nevertheless, Tyson explained to talkSPORT: “[I’m] 58. I’m going to fight in the biggest arena ever and it’s going to be sold out, and who else can do that?”
He discussed the excitement of selling out such a large venue, stating: “It makes me feel like I have to perform. They’re giving me all that inspiration and letting me know that ‘boy, you’ve got to perform tonight’. It’s time to perform.”