Mike Tyson has shared one of the reasons for his upcoming fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
At 58, Tyson is preparing to enter the ring with Paul in just a few weeks, marking nearly two decades since his last boxing match. The former heavyweight champion last fought in 2005, when he was defeated by Kevin McBride, shortly after which he announced his retirement from the sport.
Recently, Tyson has decided to don his boxing gloves again, agreeing to face the 27-year-old Paul on November 15, following a postponement from the original July date. The fight was initially scheduled for July 20 and was to be streamed on Netflix.
However, due to Tyson’s health issues, the match had to be rescheduled. Netflix issued a statement at the time, explaining, “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 later date this year once Mike can resume training without limitations, allowing both fighters equal preparation time for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup!”
Tyson later took to Twitter to announce he was feeling “100 percent” again, adding, “Even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.” He expressed gratitude to his fans for their support and explained that he had been advised to “lighten” his training temporarily to rest and recover. He stated that his body is “in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s” and that he would soon return to his full training regimen.
The boxing legend remarked, “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 match is set to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, later this month.
Recently, Tyson addressed the criticism surrounding his decision to fight Paul. British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn labeled the matchup “dangerous and disrespectful,” stating, “I’m in awe of him—he’s one of my favorite fighters, one of the greatest of all time—but he’s a 58-year-old man. You only need to speak to him and look at him to know this guy should not be in a ring again.”
But Tyson’s view is more straightforward.
“They’re giving me all that inspiration and letting me know that ‘boy, you’ve got to perform tonight.’ It’s time to perform.”
