Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul later this year.
“I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time. Unfortunately, due to my ulcer flareup, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover.
My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon. 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.”
Many within the sport have expressed genuine concern about the 30-year age gap between the two and top trainer Robert Garcia agrees.
Speaking to ES NEWS, Garcia, who coaches the likes of Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Vergil Ortiz, doesn’t give ‘Iron’ Mike much hope in the contest.
“It’s like people saying Mike Tyson’s gonna go out and knock [Jake Paul] out, Mike Tyson lost 20 years ago to bums. 20 years ago he lost in real fights to bums, maybe more than 20 years ago, yeah more because he’s [nearly] 60.”
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson takes place at the AT&T stadium in Texas on November 15. The event will be streamed live on Netflix as part of a standard subscription, prompting some to predict it could break boxing viewership records.
