Boxing fans are anticipating which version of Mike Tyson they’ll see take on Jake Paul – and not all the signs are encouraging.
‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ is due to square off against ‘The Problem Child’ in Texas on Nov. 15, months after their original date was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues. The 58-year-old will step back into the ring almost two decades after his last professional fight, but this isn’t the first comeback he’s attempted in the modern era.
Tyson was preparing for his exhibition match against fellow icon Roy Jones Jr in 2020 when he had viewers concerned following one interview in particular. The boxing great appears on Good Morning Britain but appeared a shade of his usual self, slurring his words and seemingly struggling to keep his attention in general.
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Speaking to presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, the veteran was far from his usual, affable self and kept his answers brief. The cameo led to an outcry from supporters, concerned that the former king of the ring was in no shape to be fighting. However, Tyson later gave the explanation that the time delay between England and Los Angeles – where he was speaking from – made for a perfect storm. And many will have been relieved to see the star in better condition since then.
“Hey mate @piersmorgan and UK,” he later wrote on X (formerly Twitter ). “I tried to stay up late for the interview but fell asleep and like a lion I’m hard to wake once sleep. Training hard and going to bed early. I had no monitor so I couldn’t see you guys and forgot to look into camera.”
Mike Tyson took on Roy Jones Jr in 2020
Almost four years on, and there are still those worried ‘Iron Mike’ should not be taking on another fight – especially against someone 30 years his junior. He and Paul will fight under modified rules, using 14-ounce gloves over eight two-minute rounds, but many have still expressed dismay that the contest is taking place.
Tyson has impressed the masses with displays of his power and punching at 58, releasing clips from his training camp in recent months. However, the all-time great formerly claimed a 30-second training segment from 2020 left him bed-bound for a week, so one can only imagine the toll his current regime is taking four years on.
To his credit, Tyson has appeared cognisant in recent interviews and appears fully aware of the challenge he’s in for, with millions rooting for him to finish YouTuber Paul. The fight will be streamed exclusively on Netflix as the first sporting event of its kind, but there are concerns Tyson’s final hurrah could end badly for the former undisputed champion.
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