Mike Tyson has admitted that he quite likes Jake Paul – even if he does want to hurt him.
The 58-year-old is set to take on the Ohio native on November 15 in a boxing bout that has completely split the sport. Given the 31-year age gap between the pair, many are concerned for Tyson’s well-being and safety .
Moreover, unlike an exhibition clash, the bout is set to count on both of their personal records, adding extra incentive for Paul to knockout his significantly older opponent. The bout was postponed once after a stomach ulcer flare-up prompted doctors to tell Tyson not to fight the former Disney star.
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But with Tyson claiming his stomach ulcer is gone and that he has got a grip on his diet, ‘Iron Mike’ professed he is ready to take on Paul. While he will be out for blood when he steps into the 90,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Tyson admits he does like Paul.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Tyson was asked to express his thoughts on the contentious ex-YouTuber. He said: “I like him but in this particular fight he has to go. I don’t look at this like it’s going to be an easy right. This guy is going to be prepared, but I’m prepared for it sure.”
When told that Paul would be scared to fight him, Tyson added: “Well, that’s part of fighting, I’m nervous too. But the closer it gets to the fight, the least nervous I get.
Tyson, 58, will be fighting as a professional for the first time in nearly 20 years (
Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)
“I’m training extremely hard. I start at 11am and I might leave the gym at 5pm. When I finish doing my boxing sessions, I’ll get a massage for an hour and then I go into strength and conditioning.”
His recent comments contrast his recent admission that he allowed his diet and love for vaping to get out of hand in the build-up to their original fight date. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said he “can’t escape the vapes” and that he was “doing too much bad food and stuff, and I got sick”.
Considering the bout will count on his current fighting record of 50 victories, 44 knockouts and six losses, many also feel this bout could affect his legacy. If that is the case, Tyson is not worried.
Tyson said he is ready to take on Paul this November (
(Image: Getty))
He added: “I didn’t take this fight for legacy. I think legacy really, to my perspective, legacy is ego. Who gives a f— how people think about them when they are gone? I’m dead. I can’t value off what somebody might think about me when I’m dead, so it means nothing to me.”
Tyson has not fought a competitively since his loss to Kevin McBride all the way back in 2005. Meanwhile, Paul boasts 10 victories (seven knockouts) and one loss and recently stopped bare-knuckle boxing champion Mike Perry in July, scoring knockdowns in rounds one, two and six.
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