Mike Tyson is set to return to the ring as a pro fighter almost two decades after his final bout.
That was a loss to Kevin McBride in which ‘Iron’ Mike refused to stand from his stool. Since then he has had an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020 but also health complications, one of which pushed this fight back months.
In the opposite corner will be YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, who has won seven of ten fights by knockout, albeit against MMA fighters often making their boxing debut.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, two-time Paul opponent and former UFC Champion Tyron Woodley said the fight was a good idea despite considerable backlash.
“I don’t think it’s a horrible idea for anybody … He’s fighting the one fighter that most people fear. I feel like 58, 27, the age is not a factor. Experience level is obviously gonna go to Mike Tyson. Jakes got a screw loose man.”
Woodley – who first loss to Paul over the eight-round distance before being knocked out cold in the rematch – then went on to praise Tyson in his current form as a fighter who could still ‘wreck some current heavyweights.’
“If Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson, I don’t give a f**k if he’s 70, you gonna have to put at least an ounce of respect on his name. Mike Tyson right now, off muscle memory alone, he can have a flashback and let off a combination that can kill most people. He has the power and the ability to shift organs in your body if he hits you with the right force. I think he’s forgot more technique than Jake Paul has ever learned in his life.”
“On memory alone, on ability alone, he’s gonna be able to out-do and subdue any type of fresh, newborn technique that Jake Paul has learned. He can just go onto auto-pilot and wreck some of the current heavyweight champions now.
Yes [He could knock Paul out] he was programmed as a machine of war. Him and Tank are the only two boxers in the history of the sport that have as many knockouts with a jab, as a hook, as a overhand, high, low, body shots. They have had a knockout on their records from every punch they can throw … His muscle memory alone is enough to beat anybody … I’d fight him, but I’d be scared.”
Paul and Tyson will now face off on November 15 in Texas. Despite the broadcast, venue and promotion all confirmed, Shawn Porter still doesn’t believe it will happen.
