Mike Tyson is set to face Jake Paul over eight two-minute rounds in November in a bout that will go on his professional record despite being untouched for almost 20 years.
The 58-year-old had to postpone the fight with Paul initially due to an ulcer flare-up, but quickly rescheduled the date and is now in training. Paul, 27, knocked out bareknuckle fighter Mike Perry in July to keep active.
Given the extreme gap in age, the health conditions ‘Iron’ Mike has been through since his retirement and his self-admitted ‘lack of ferocity’ when it comes to boxing, the match-up has received considerable criticism.
Speaking to Boyle Sports on the affair, former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew said he would take it personally if the former undisputed heavyweight was hurt.
“Mike is probably getting between £20million to £50million for this fight, I’m not going to lie, I’d do it. Everyone has got a price. But if Jake Paul hurts Mike Tyson it would absolutely kill me. If he hurt Mike Tyson and I then run into Jake Paul, I’d chin him, quite happily. I would even spend a couple weeks in the big house for that.
It’s a sad, sad day. It’s not a professional contest really because only women fight two-minute rounds, men do not fight two minutes. But Jake Paul is so f***ing pig-headed that he wants it to go on Mike Tyson’s record. Hopefully, Mike chins him and puts him to sleep in six or seven seconds.”
Tyson has told close associates that he plans to knock Paul out. Only fans in the AT&T Stadium and tuning in to the Netflix-streamed event will see if his body can follow the command.
