Mike Tyson has made a dangerous U-turn over Jake Paul boxing fight
Mike Tyson's highly-anticipated return to boxing is now just over a month away, with the boxing legend set to go up against Jake Paul on November 15
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Mike Tyson's highly-anticipated return to boxing is now just over a month away, with the boxing legend set to go up against Jake Paul on November 15.
But many fans are concerned about Iron Mike as he prepares to return to the sport for the first times since his exhibition draw with Roy Jones Jr back in 2020.
Of course, Tyson is one of the best fighters in boxing history. What he has achieved is proof of that, with 44 of his 50 pro victories coming via knockout.
Yet the thought of a 58-year-old Tyson going up against Paul, and losing, is what worries many figures associated with the sport.
Mike Tyson's highly-anticipated return to boxing is now just over a month away, with the boxing legend set to go up against Jake Paul on November 15
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Tyson, originally, never intended to fight Paul. Speaking two years ago, he suggested he wasn't interested in going up against the 27-year-old.
“My family loves Jake Paul, I would never, I would never fight him," he said at the time.
"Everyone in my family love this little white motherf****r...
"Let him has his reign, let him have his time.
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Yet it's hard not to be troubled by the bout. Tyson, let's recall, ended his pro career with two consecutive losses - with his defeat to Kevin McBride in 2005 particularly painful.
Eddie Hearn is among the figures associated with boxing who fears for Tyson's health. He's even threatened to boycott the fight, insisting he will walk away before it kicks off.
"I think it’s a huge shame that one of the biggest legends of the sport comes back, 20 years after everybody knew he shouldn’t be boxing anymore," he told talkSPORT.
“At 55 or however old he is... He’s 58? Jesus Christ, he’s nearly 60.
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"Like, you have no respect for the sport of boxing if you put Mike Tyson in a ring at 58 years of age.
“And if he gets hurt, then it’s on those people… I’ll watch Katie Taylor and then I’ll leave. I can’t watch that.”
And, earlier in the year, Joe Rogan expressed fears that Tyson could even die.
"It's not necessarily carved in stone yet, they might not approve it. If a lot of people protest, they won't approve it. The thing is, if Tyson dies. See if you have something like that [happen]," he said.
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Mike Tyson has been warned by multiple figures that he shouldn't be fighting Jake Paul at the age of 58
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Even medical professionals have told Tyson he shouldn't be fighting, not at his age.
His decision to go ahead with the bout with Paul sets off alarm bells. It's hard not to be worried, with the clash now just over a month away.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight on November 15
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Tyson has the power to wobble his rival. But if the contest isn't decided within the early stages, there are fears he'll end up on the canvas himself.
Whether he's making the right decision is something only time will tell.