Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has confirmed that he will step into the ring with YouTube personality turned boxer Jake Paul on July 20. However, Tyson clarified that the match will be considered an exhibition, though he emphasized that it will be far from an ordinary exhibition bout.
In an interview with Fox News, Tyson, 57, stated that despite being labeled as an exhibition, the fight with Paul will not adhere to the usual restrictions seen in such matches. He expressed his belief that Paul is underestimating him if he thinks he can’t be hurt, asserting, “This is a fight. I don’t think he’s faster than me.”
Tyson further dismissed any misconceptions about his opponent, referencing Paul’s past videos on YouTube and emphasizing that the person he’ll face in the ring won’t be the same as the one seen in those videos. “This guy is going to come, he’s going to try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to. He’s going to be greatly mistaken,” Tyson said.
The highly anticipated bout is set to be streamed live on Netflix from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. However, specific details about the fight are still scarce, with reports indicating that the promoters have yet to provide any information to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation.
Notably, the Paul family has previous experience with exhibition matches, as Jake’s older brother, Logan, engaged in an eight-round exhibition with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in 2021. Despite the lack of a clear winner in that match, Tyson is keen to distance his upcoming fight with Jake Paul from the widely criticized Mayweather-Logan Paul spectacle.
Tyson expressed a mix of nerves and confidence leading up to the fight, stating, “Right now, I’m scared to death. But as the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become, because it’s reality, and in reality, I’m invincible.” He also clarified that he holds no grudges against Paul, calling him “beautiful.”
Meanwhile, Jake Paul has been promoting the fight in his characteristic style, including getting a joke face tattoo and making references to Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident. Despite being in the boxing scene for five years, Paul faces perhaps his most formidable opponent yet in Tyson, whose legendary status in the sport precedes him.
Paul’s boxing journey has been marked by victories over older MMA fighters and lesser-known boxers, with his recent win against Tommy Fury being a notable highlight. However, facing Tyson presents a significantly different challenge altogether, one that will test Paul’s skills and determination.
As the fight date draws nearer, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a captivating clash between two contrasting figures in the world of boxing. While Tyson seeks to prove that age is just a number, Paul aims to solidify his place in the boxing world by taking on one of the sport’s most iconic figures.
Credit: Yahoo Sports
