Mike Tyson hints at family frustrations ahead of Jake Paul fight - 'Don't feel sorry for me'
Boxing news: Mike Tyson has told fans 'don't feel sorry for me' as he prepares to fight Jake Paul
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Mike Tyson has hinted his family aren't happy with him for choosing to fight Jake Paul as the clash between the two men creeps closer.
The boxing world was left stunned back in March when Iron Mike revealed he'd be returning to the ring.
His last professional fight was all the way back in 2005, with the 58-year-old losing to Roy Jones Jr on that occasion.
Tyson insists he's raring to face Paul, despite the controversy surrounding the bout.
Boxing news: Mike Tyson has told fans 'don't feel sorry for me' as he prepares to fight Jake Paul
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Many are unhappy that Paul is going up against a man currently 31 years his junior.
And Tyson, speaking to Fox, has now hinted that his wife and children aren't necessarily on board with his decision to return to the ring.
“I’m just looking forward to this. This is something that I would say ignites me," he said.
"It just gives me a life for myself. It’s life within myself. It’s just me doing what I wanna do.
“Forget everybody else. Forget if they wish I’d lose, win, or… it’s about me doing what I wanna do.
“Forget what my wife and kids are, like, thinking about just this one moment, just stick with me and don’t feel sorry for me. Don’t worry about me. That’s all.”
Some have suggested Tyson's children could actually be encouraging their father to face Paul.
Yet the heavyweight icon insists that isn't the case.
“It has nothing to do with my kids. It’s all about me,” he added. "Nothing to do with them.
"And sometimes I wonder, is that bad? Is that my ego, where it’s just to hell with everybody, I don’t care [that] my health is risked or anything, it’s just who I am.
"They knew I was that way before they married me. They knew I was that way when I had them and then when they were kids, and I’m just gonna always be there.
"I’m always gonna test myself. I’m always gonna push the envelope.
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Boxing news: Mike Tyson has hinted his family aren't happy with him for choosing to fight Jake Paul as the clash between the two men creeps closer.
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“I’m always very nervous and apprehensive until it gets closer to the fight.
"Then, I understand this is reality. I’ve been through this many of times, and I know how to handle this situation."
Meanwhile, Paul revealed over the weekend that there was no replacement for Tyson if he's forced to withdraw from the fight.
The clash has already been delayed once before after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare up.
Boxing news: Mike Tyson will face Jake Paul on November 15
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Yet Paul isn't concerned about the showdown potentially falling through.
"I don't have concern," said 'The Problem Child' during an interview with TMZ.
"He's doing great. He's super healthy behind the scenes and feeling great.
"So that's what we are focusing on and there is not a back-up currently."