Boxing legend 'scared' for Mike Tyson and tells star to 'be careful' ahead of Jake Paul fight
Boxing star Mike Tyson is currently preparing for his bout with Jake Paul on November 15
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Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has admitted he's worried about Mike Tyson as the 58-year-old's bout with Jake Paul creeps closer.
The heavyweight icon is currently preparing to come out of retirement again, four years on from his draw with Roy Jones Jr.
The bout between the two men has sparked controversy due to the huge 31-year age gap between the pair.
Paul, at the age of 27, will go into the clash as the favourite - especially given the impressive nature of his victory over Mike Perry on July 20.
Boxing star Mike Tyson is currently preparing for his bout with Jake Paul on November 15
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De La Hoya knows Tyson well and feels the veteran is capable of causing his opponent problems.
However, the boxing legend also fears for his close friend - saying he could be in trouble if he fails to land a knockout blow in the first three rounds.
“Come on. I saw him the other day," he said on the Club Shay Shay podcast.
"I love Tyson, he’s got a puncher’s chance in the first three rounds.
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"I’m a little scared of Tyson getting hurt after the third round.
"Jake Paul’s a big boy, he’s 26 years old [sic, 27], Tyson’s 61 [sic, 58].
"I’m happy for him that he’s making money, that he still loves it, he’s getting in there and he’s in shape, but just be careful.”
Tyson will certainly be hoping to avoid a similar fate to former nemesis Evander Holyfield.
Holyfield came out of retirement in 2021, with the 61-year-old going up against Vitor Belfort.
The contest lasted just 109 seconds, however, with the former boxing star's big comeback falling flat.
Meanwhile, there have been rumours that Paul could retire from boxing once his clash with Tyson is done and dusted.
Yet the 27-year-old has vowed to keep fighting, though did reveal he would likely take a 'little break' from the sport.
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Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has admitted he's worried about Mike Tyson as the 58-year-old's bout with Jake Paul creeps closer
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"I feel like I'm gonna take a little break," Paul said.
"I'm gonna keep fighting for sure.
"But I think my plan is to just get through November 15, have the best performance possible, knock Mike Tyson out and then just see how I'm feeling after that."
He added: "One shot could change the whole entire fight.
Boxing fans from all over the world are expected to watch the blockbuster showdown between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul
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"At the end of the day there's always going to be critics no matter what you do.
"That's the nature of humanity... you can never satisfy people so I don't waste my energy trying to do that.
"I'm just doing what I think is cool and that's fighting Mike Tyson."