Boxing legend Mike Tyson potentially revealed his plans for what comes after his fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. During a press conference to promote the July 20 clash, Tyson was asked if his fight against Paul was just a one-off bout or if there was something more on the horizon.
While Tyson was noncommital about sharing his plans, he did divulge some information about what he plans to do once his fight with Paul is over. “Hey, this seems like it’s going to be pretty fun, maybe we’ll do it again too, yeah?” Tyson said.
When pressed with a follow-up question about who his potential next opponent is, the 57-year-old remained mum, instead deflecting the question. “Well, can I take care of Jake first please?” the former heavyweight champion replied when pressed on who he would like to fight next.
Although Tyson did not specify who he would fight next, it is clear that he still has the passion to be in the ring. And despite how heavily criticised his fight with Paul is, it appears he is paying those naysayers no mind as he continues to train for his upcoming fight.
Still, Tyson did admit that training for his fight with Paul – who is 30 years younger than him – has taken a toll on his body. When asked how he was feeling amid his strenuous workout routine, Tyson did not mince words about how his body felt as he attempted to get back into boxing shape.
“I’m beautiful,” the former champion told the crowd on hand. “I’m doing great but my body is s— right now. I’m sore.” In an effort to help his body better acclimate to the demands of boxing, Tyson has resorted to eating raw meat along with other dietary changes to help him get into better shape.
What’s more, Paul revealed that it was Tyson’s camp that wanted the fight to be counted as a professional bout. Tyson’s team requested the fight’s status be changed just one week after the contracts had been signed.
“Weeks after the contract was signed we got a call from Mike’s team and they were like ‘Hey, he wants it to be a pro fight for sure, he wants to put it all on the line,'” Paul shared with the crowd. “So I respect Mike for that, and if he wanted that, I said ‘Let’s run it.'”
Even with its status as a pro fight, boxing pro Josh Taylor has raised his concerns regarding the fight, especially considering how old Tyson is and the shape he is in compared to Paul. “I’ve not really being paying attention because I have no interest in Jake Paul whatsoever,” Taylor told Express Sport in an exclusive interview. “He’s purely a showman and credit to him, he’s making a fortune and he’s doing well for himself.
He has actually had picked up boxing skills and worked pretty hard but I just don’t take these fights very seriously because it’s not real boxing. It’s a 57-year-old man fighting against a guy in the prime of his life.”
He even pondered what the point of the fight is and why Tyson would even bother accepting the fight against Paul. “Fighting an old man and making it a professional contest? Why? Just so you can say you beat Mike Tyson,” he continued.
“I find it ridiculous but at the end of the day it’s entertainment and people will turn up and watch it as they want to watch Mike Tyson.”
Regardless of how people view Tyson’s fight with Paul, the two men are going at each other with all they have, if what they’ve said thus far is any indication. Tyson and Paul are set to face off on July 20 at AT&T Stadium.
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