Mike Tyson's life is 'risky' and always has been as he prepares to take on Jake Paul in July, it has been claimed.
Tyson will be 58 at the time of the bout, with 27-year-old Paul hoping to get the better of the former heavyweight champion.
Some have feared for Tyson, however. Though he's undeniably one of the best boxers of all time, the 30-year age gap between the two men could be problematic.
Former boxing star Andre Ward has admitted he'll be watching the battle between the two stars.
Boxing: Mike Tyson has been defended for taking a divisive showdown with Jake Paul
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And the 40-year-old has defended Tyson, insisting his life is 'risky' and always has been - which is why his decision to take the fight can't be criticised.
“I don’t know, man. It’s a spectacle, I’m going to watch it," he told Fight Hub TV.
"I don’t know. I see people on both sides like ‘Mike shouldn’t be in there.’ Maybe not.
"But if there’s a 56, 58-year-old that I’m not too concerned about, it’s probably Mike Tyson.
“But it is risky...well, Mike’s life is risky, it’s been risky since he been a kid until now. Boxing is risky.
"How are you going to tell a man that’s hardwired the way he’s Mike Tyson...you can’t tell him he ain’t got a shot in that fight.
"So I don’t really know where I stand on it. I’m going to watch it, though.
“And then for Jake Paul it’s like Jake and his team are being strategic, picking the right names and he keeps picking bigger and bigger names so it’s going to be interesting.”
Tyson and Paul both stand to make millions from the fights.
And if the fight isn't a professional one, then there are certain rules that will be in place.
Both men are set to wear 16-ounce boxing gloves instead of the traditional 10-ounce gloves used in professional fights.
Rounds are poised to last two minutes, instead of three, while there will be no official judges ringside to score the fight.
That means the only way one man will triumph over the other is if there's a knockout on the night.
The undercard for the fight between Tyson and Paul is yet to be announced.
Tela Mange, Communications Manager for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, says it is 'normal' that the undercard is yet to be revealed at this stage.
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Boxing: Andre Ward has defended Mike Tyson amid criticism over his blockbuster bout with Jake Paul
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"It's pretty common for a promoter to request a date several months out but not immediately provide the proposed card," Mange told USA Today Sports.
"They want to be sure that they've secured the date with us, since we'll have to make sure we have appropriate staffing available for any event.
"The promoter will need to submit proposed cards before we determine whether a particular contest would be considered as an exhibition or a professional fight, or how a proposed exhibition might be structured."
Paul, meanwhile, recently hit out at rumours that he'll be offered special protection for the fight.
"It’s so sad that millions of people believe that. It’s f***ing absurd," fumed the YouTuber. "Obviously, none of that is true.
Boxing: Mike Tyson will be 58 when he faces Jake Paul in Texas in July
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“They’re so f***ing stupid. Anyone who believes that should not be allowed to vote.
“Actually, I thought of this - there should be these hidden tests throughout life that qualify you to be able to vote or not.
"And they don’t know whether they’re taking a test or not.
“The fact that these people are not only driving around on our streets but they’re able to vote? They’re out there driving cars! They’re dumb as f*** and it’s sad.
“We live in a f***ed up world. Humans are getting more and more stupid every day. It’s crazy."
