Footage of Mike Tyson in training for his fight against Jake Paul has been circulating on social media, leaving some fans concerned about the “sad footage”.
Mike Tyson is a boxing legend, there’s no disputing that.
Out of the ring (and sometimes in it) he has been a controversial figure – but even Muhammad Ali described Tyson as the best boxer in the world during his prime.
Tyson’s hard-hitting best might be behind him, but that isn’t stopping the 57-year-old from getting into the ring with Jake Paul, 27, a YouTuber turned boxer who is determined to make a name for himself in the sport.
The fight between Tyson and Paul was confirmed in March and is slated for July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the bout, Tyson, who will turn 58 by fight night, stated: “I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul. He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.”
While Tyson’s last professional bout was in 2005, he returned to the ring in 2020 for an eight-round exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr.
But Tyson’s recent training footage has left fans concerned about his readiness to step back into the ring.
Jake Paul is making a name for himself in the world of boxing. Credit: Chris Coduto/Getty
In the clip, Tyson is seen engaging in sprint training, aiming to enhance his explosive power for the upcoming match. Yet, some viewers noted a lack of speed in his movements, raising doubts about his preparedness.
Accompanying the video, Tyson issued a formidable message to his opponent, stating: “I’m coming for you #PaulTyson.”
Reacting to the footage, one fan expressed their disapproval, stating: “No one should be fighting at 58, I don’t like this.”
Another person commented: “This doesn’t look good,” while a third person said: “This is honestly so sad to watch.”
With a record of 9-1 and six knockouts, Paul has swiftly transitioned from a YouTuber to a formidable presence in the boxing arena.
Despite a single loss to Tommy Fury, Paul has emerged victorious against notable opponents such as Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, and Tyron Woodley.
Mike Tyson is one of the greatest boxers of all time. Credit: Focus On Sport/Getty
In an Instagram post, Paul expressed his excitement about making the fight available to Netflix subscribers, stating: “My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time.”
Even though there’s a 30-year age gap between the pair, this is sure to be quite the fight!