Tyson has affirmed that he will knockout Paul and said that he will unleash a version of himself that his 16-year-old daughter, Milan, had never seen. (AP)
Mike Tyson might be well past his prime but the legendary boxer is keen to remind why he was famously known as the ‘baddest man on the planet’ when he returns to the ring for the first time in nearly 20 years to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer, Jake Paul.
The 58-year-old former undisputed world heavyweight champion, who recorded 44 of his 50 pro-boxing wins with knockouts (KO), has promised to unleash “Iron Mike” on Friday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“I’m bringing the devil himself [to the ring],” Tyson was quoted as saying on Tuesday during an open workout session.
While he may have appeared amiable in his off-field meetings with Paul, Tyson has cautioned his 27-year-old opponent to not take the kindness for granted.
“There are no feelings attached,” Tyson said. “My own mother should be very careful if she has to get in the ring with me. When it’s over, it’s over. But while the process is going on, my intention is to hurt him. I hope he has the same intentions, or he is in trouble.”
Tyson has also affirmed that he will knock out Paul, 31 years his junior and said that he will unleash a version of himself that his 16-year-old daughter, Milan, had never seen.
“She saw me on television fight with Roy Jones [in 2020], but she has never seen anything of this magnitude in her life,” Tyson said. “My kids don’t really think of me as the baddest man on the planet. They look at me as Dad [and tell me] sit your old ass down.
“But on November 15 they will have a different opinion of me.”
Weight of the contest
Initially slated for on July 20, the contest was postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up. Initially, regarded to be an exhibition bout, the fight was given professional status by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations in April 2024.
The heavyweight showdown will be fought over eight two-minute rounds with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves. While Tyson’s record stands at 50-6-2 (Win-loss-no contest), Paul has stacked up a 10-1 profile since his pro debut in 2020.
Tyson last won a bout in Febrary 2003, a KO over Clifford Etienne to mark his 50th career triumph. He had since suffered successive defeats in 2004 and 2005 before calling it quits.
Interestingly, the 31-year age difference between Tyson and his latest opponent Paul is the largest in professional boxing history, surpassing the 24-year gap between Archie Moore (49) and Mike DiBiase (25) during a 1963 contest.
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