Mike Tyson admits to being nervous of Jake Paul boxing fight
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is due to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in November and has admitted to having nerves ahead of the bout
Mike Tyson admitted he has been nervous in the lead-up to his fight with YouTuber Jake Paul, but doesn't see those nerves as indicating he fears his opponent.
Tyson, who turned 58 this summer, had been due to face 27-year-old Paul in July. The bout was postponed, though after the former world heavyweight champion suffered an ulcer flare-up which left him unfit to fight, and will now take place in November.
It will be Tyson's first ffight since an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, while the last bout of his professional career came all the way back in 2005. Paul, meanwhile, has a 10-1 professional record since taking up the sport seriously.
Tyson spoke with Paul's brother Logan on the 'Impaulsive' YouTube channel on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming bout. While he views nerves differently to some others, though, he made it clear he is not underestimating his opponent.
"I'm doing really well [on the cardio front], doing my sprints and all that stuff," . "No concerns more than normal, just nervous, that's about it.
"All fighters are nervous, all athletes are nervous. I'm not going to let anyone tell me because I'm nervous I'm afraid, because I've been nervous my whole career and I've been very successful."
The veteran, who claimed 50 wins during his career with 44 of those coming by knockout, was also asked about previous opponents who might have underestimated Paul. "The difference between me and all the other guys that he fought - they weren't apprehensive or afraid of him," he said
"I'm just that kind of person, that's who I am [with] my nerves. Because I don't want to get angry or anything, that's why I'm scared."
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Earlier in the interview, Tyson responded to the trash-talk to come his way. The pair faced off at a press conference over the weekend, during which Paul mocked his opponent's illness and asked "Does your tummy hurt?".
"The only thing I have to think of is being younger and people bullying me," Tyson said. However, when asked if he felt Paul was bullying him stage, he paused for a beat before replying "no... the closer it gets to the fight, I'll feel bullied, yeah. I'll get that feeling.
"This is what I found out at 58: the s***-talkers get all the money, the s***-talkers get all the attention, the s***-talkers get everything," he continued. "We get a bad rep but we get everything else. If you don't talk s***, what's even the purpose of you going to the fight?"
Tyson disagreed with the suggestion his younger opponent was being disrespectful in the lead-up to the bout. "I've been disrespected before, and that's not even in the same class of disrespect, he's giving me complements," he said. "I love him too, but it's business
