The former heavyweight boxing champion will clash with the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer. He says he’s terrified, except he’s not.
Mike Tyson is a legend in the world of boxing, and he will always have a place among the greatest in the sport’s history. Out of his 58 official matches, he won 50, 44 by knockout, and his presence and style alone command respect.
He last fought in 2020, having a well-paid nostalgia match against Roy Jones Jr. This summer, he returns to the ring for an exhibition match against Jake Paul, who transitioned from YouTuber to professional boxer.
By the time of the clash, Iron Mike will be 58, while his opponent will be 27, making a three-decade age difference between them. Paul has fought ten matches so far, winning nine, six by KO.
Naturally, the Tyson-Paul matchup is not really assessable in professional sports terms. However, Tyson himself has commented, indicating that those expecting a retirement shuffle are mistaken.
“They call it an exhibition, but that doesn’t say anything about the rules. This is going to be a fight. I don’t think [Paul] is faster than me. I saw a YouTube video of him doing a strange dance. But I’m not going to box with that guy. This guy will want to hurt me, which I’m used to,” he said, according to InStyleMen.
Tyson then explained that he is terrified, but as the day of the match approaches, he becomes less nervous: “Because that’s reality, and in reality, I am invincible.”
Considering his age, he must undergo numerous medical examinations before being allowed into the ropes. EKG and EEG tests are prescribed for him, monitoring his brain activity and heart function. However, he takes training very seriously.
How fast and strong is Mike Tyson at 57? This much:
The exact rules for the exhibition match are not yet known, including how many rounds and how long the bouts will be. There have been rumors that instead of the sharp 10-ounce competition gloves, they might fight in heavier, 16-ounce ones, but the gala’s promoter has denied any such reports so far.
One thing is for sure: we’ll hear the gong on July 20, and Netflix will stream the event live.
