Mike Tyson makes feelings clear on dying in the ring ahead of Jake Paul fight

WATCH NOW: Netflix trailer for Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 25/10/2024

- 10:55

The boxing icon will come out of retirement next month

Mike Tyson has claimed he 'wants to die in the ring' rather than in hospital ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Jake Paul next month.

Iron Mike is one of the biggest heavyweights of all time but will start his clash with Paul as the underdog given his opponent in 31 years his junior.


At the age of 58, it's unclear how the veteran will perform.

Tyson is adamant he's ready to rock and roll, however, with the boxing icon drowning out any criticism from outside as he prepares to return to action.

Boxing news Mike Tyson

Boxing news: Mike Tyson has claimed he 'wants to die in the ring' rather than in hospital ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Jake Paul next month.

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Ahead of the fight, Netflix will release a three-part documentary about the showdown - which is set to attract millions of viewers from all around the world.

And Tyson, speaking following the release of the trailer for the documentary, has insisted he 'wants to die in the ring'.

"This is really big for me. If I win, I'll be immortal," he said.

"If I do it bad, I don't want to die in a hospital bed, I want to die in the ring."

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There are health concerns for Tyson, who suffered an ulcer flare up earlier in the year.

The prospect of a 58-year-old facing a 27-year-old has sparked a big backlash, with many figures associated with the sport unhappy that it's going ahead.

Paul is no novice, having won 10 of his 11 bouts so far.

A defeat to Tommy Fury last year is the only time the younger man has failed to come out on top.

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But with Tyson formidable in his prime, there's still a possibility he'll reign supreme.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier this month, Eddie Hearn blasted the upcoming battle and said Tyson 'should not be in a ring again'.

"The reality is that 20 years ago when Mike Tyson retired from the sport he was shot, completely finished," the boxing promoter told the BBC.

"It was actually sad to watch then, 20 years ago.

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"I'm in awe of him - he's one of my favourite ever fighters, one of the greatest of all time - but he's a 58-year-old man.

"You only need to speak to him and look at him to know this guy should not be in a ring again."

Hearn then proceeded to launch a stinging attack on Paul.

He says the 27-year-old should be 'embarrassed' about fighting a man 31 years older and that it's 'dangerous and 'irresponsible' for the sport.

Boxing news Mike Tyson Jake Paul

Boxing news: Mike Tyson doesn't fear death ahead of his bout with Jake Paul

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He continued: "If I was Jake Paul I'd just feel a little bit embarrassed to be honest with you. It's a liberty.

"This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing."

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