Mike Tyson is gearing up for an exciting boxing match against Jake Paul, scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Texas. As anticipation builds for this highly-anticipated showdown, Tyson offered a brief yet telling assessment of Paul’s boxing skills.
Tyson’s Praise and Concerns
In a recent interview, the former heavyweight champion expressed some admiration for the YouTuber-turned-boxer, acknowledging him as a “good little fighter.” However, Tyson quickly emphasized that Paul’s experience, with only ten professional fights under his belt, is relatively limited in the boxing world. He remarked, “That’s considered an amateur in our field,” highlighting the vast difference in their careers.
Despite his respect for Paul, Tyson remains skeptical about the younger fighter’s ability to compete at his level. Tyson stated, “He can fight, for boxers his level. I do not believe [he can compete at my level].” At 57 years old, Tyson brings a wealth of experience to the ring, having not fought professionally since 2005, aside from a notable exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
More Read
Preparing for the Fight
The match has drawn significant attention and some criticism, particularly after Tyson had to withdraw from the original fight date due to an ulcer flare-up. Nevertheless, he is back in training and committed to being ready for the fight. Tyson added, “I’m just going in there with bad intentions and my intention is to hurt this young man.”
While both fighters have maintained a level of respect for each other, Tyson’s competitive spirit shines through. He joked about Paul’s strategy, saying, “As soon as I catch him, because he’s going to run like a thief. I don’t see how he’s going to make it an exciting fight by running all day.”
A Clash of Generations
Tyson, aware of the age difference—Paul is 27 years old and 31 years younger than Tyson—dismissed any notion of being an easy target. “He’s supposed to be the young guy, he’s supposed to walk right through me. I’m an old man, but he’s going to run all night,” Tyson said, urging Paul to fight more aggressively: “He should try it… He should be able to take punches from an old and withering man like me.”
With the fight looming, Tyson confidently stated that fans will witness a spectacle unlike anything they’ve seen before. “I just don’t think he’s taking it seriously,” he claimed. “I think he believes he’s the young guy and I’m the quasi-retirement child; they may think I’m an easy touch. [The fans] won’t believe the spectacle that’s going to happen; it’ll be something they’ve never experienced before as far as pain is concerned.”
