Mike Tyson, 58, asks ‘can I be honest?’ as he reveals real reason he is fighting 27-year-old Jake Paul
MIKE TYSON reckons Jake Paul won’t lay a glove on him when they finally trade blows.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion was due to throw down with the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a controversial crossover clash early on Sunday morning.
But their Texas tussle was postponed until November after Iron Mike suffered a medical emergency onboard a flight from Miami to Los Angeles.
Boxing fans around the world publicly feared for Tyson’s safety after the Netlfix fight was officially announced due to the 31-YEAR age gap between himself and Paul.
All but three of Paul’s nine professional victories have come by way of brutal knockout, although Tyson is adamant social media sensation won’t be adding him to his highlight reel.
“Can I be honest?” Tyson asked his team while taking part in an interview with Esquire. “I don’t think he can hurt me.”
Despite not having fought professionally since his 2005 defeat to Kevin McBride, Tyson firmly believes he’s still got what it takes to teach The Problem Child a lesson or two.
The International Boxing Hall of Famer later said of Paul: “He’s not going to hit me with the jab.”
Tyson returned to the ring in November 2020 for a Covid clash with fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr, which ended in a draw.
His decision to return to the ring and put his health and safety on the line against Paul has left many fight fans stunned.
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Tyson, 58, will be rewarded handsomely for the Dallas dust-up, although he insists it’s the addictive feeling of having his hand raised that’s lured him back to the ring.
He admitted “I’m a glory junkie. I love people thinking about me all day.
“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.
“This is all I started fighting for—to get all this fucking status.
“I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that.
“I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”
Tyson’s huge payday against Paul could go up in smoke this weekend as the YouTuber has opted to remain active and fight former UFC star Mike Perry.
And Paul admits he’s taken a huge “risk” keeping himself busy against the ferocious ‘Platinum’ Perry.