Legendary boxer Mike Tyson recently brushed off concerns about his age as he prepares for his November 15 bout against 27-year-old social media star Jake Paul. In an interview with FOX 4, Tyson, now 58, expressed confidence that his years of training and unique physical capabilities give him an edge, despite the three-decade age gap.
“People my age aren’t training the way I have,” Tyson stated. “I’m just a different species of human being.” The former heavyweight champion emphasized that his age hasn’t slowed his commitment to rigorous training, even if he now requires “more massages than normal” to stay in fighting form.
Originally set for an earlier date, Tyson’s match against Paul was postponed when he suffered an ulcer flare-up in May. Tyson confirmed that he is now fully recovered and ready to bring what he calls his “bad intentions” to the ring. “My routine hasn’t changed,” he said. “I’m healthy, and I’m prepared.”
In Tyson’s view, Paul may be an impressive fighter, but he’s not yet a match for the experience and power Tyson brings. Urging Paul to “not run like a thief,” Tyson made it clear that he’s looking forward to a toe-to-toe battle. “He’s a younger man; he should be able to handle punches from an old withering man like me,” Tyson joked.
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While Tyson kept his specific predictions for the fight under wraps, he was clear on his objective: “My intention is to hurt this young man.”
The fight, sanctioned as a professional bout by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), will officially impact both fighters’ records. To ensure the fighters’ safety, the TDLR imposed certain conditions on the match, limiting it to a maximum of eight rounds of two minutes each, with both fighters required to wear 14-ounce gloves.
Tyson, who last fought professionally in 2005, hasn’t stepped into the ring since a 2020 exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw. Jake Paul, who has carved out a unique career for himself by facing ex-UFC fighters, enters the fight with nine wins out of ten, his only loss coming against British boxer Tommy Fury in February of last year.
Set to take place in Texas, the Tyson-Paul match has generated widespread interest and speculation. With Tyson’s tenacity and Paul’s hunger for victory, fans eagerly anticipate what promises to be an unforgettable clash.
