Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are coming closer to their fight at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The controversial bout – which will be on the records of both men despite being contested over eight two-minute rounds – will see Tyson step through the ropes as a pro fighter for the first time in almost two decades. Despite Paul’s experience in the sport paling in comparison, he is active and, notably, thirty years younger.
The last time Tyson was near a ring was when he served as celebrity trainer to former UFC Champion Francis Ngannou in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. Ngannou, who was cornered by longtime coach Dewey Cooper on the night, knocked the Brit down but ultimately lost on the cards.
The MMA star has high praise for Tyson and what’s left in the tank, telling the media recently that it would be enough to ‘beat Paul’s ass.’
“I think Tyson will still beat his ass … He’s definitely not as he was when he was young. But when he moves around and shows you something, I’m like, ‘What the hell is this?’ So I think that is something that people don’t understand about Mike Tyson, his footwork is still there. He can move from your left to your right in the blink of an eye.”
Ngannou didn’t stop at speaking to reporters about the fight, he told Paul his prediction – a knockout for the former undisputed heavyweight champion – to his face.
Francis Ngannou told me to my face that Mike Tyson is going to knock me out…let’s see big man, let’s see. You got your own “Problems” ahead pic.twitter.com/qbE3am1i4u
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 24, 2024
