‘The Problem Child’ is gaining weight as he prepares to face Tyson in his first heavyweight fight, which will take place at AT&T Stadium in Texas on July 20.
Paul normally competes around the cruiserweight limit of 200lbs, but his trainer Shane Mosley suggested that he was bulking up to a weight comparable to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua.
Earlier this week, the 27-year-old debuted his new physique as he appeared in fight gear and shirtless at a photoshoot to promote his fight against Tyson. Paul looked huge in comparison to previous fights as he showed off his much bulkier arms and chest, which will see him weigh around 230lbs on the night. However, his opponent doesn’t think he’s carrying the extra weight well.
“I don’t know if he’s in his prime, he’s fat,” Tyson said at a press conference in Arlington, Texas on Thursday.
“He should be lean and mean, he’s fat and funky.
“I saw him with his shirt off the other day, he’s fat!”. Paul immediately hit back: “Hey, Buster Douglas was fat. Am I right?”
Douglas gained notoriety for causing one of the biggest upsets in sporting history, stopping previously undefeated Tyson in their showdown in 1996. Tyson quickly reminded Paul he is not on the same level as Douglas, but the former Disney star claimed to be better than the heavyweight legend.
Mike Tyson reacts furiously and snaps at reporter after being labelled ‘58-year-old gimmick’ for fighting Jake Paul. He said: “I know, but you know Buster Douglas, I’m better.
“I’m going to end you quicker than he did and you’ll remember that forever.”
Paul kickstarted his boxing career with a KO win over basketball player Nate Robinson on the undercard of Tyson’s exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. Since then, he’s made millions and is thankful to his rival for giving him the platform to become one of the biggest stars in the sport.
Still, he’s planning to ruthlessly end Tyson’s career in a couple of months time. Paul added: “You started me off. I appreciate that. Mike, I love you. I love you like a father loves his son, but I must discipline you. You’re going down, man.
“What I promise to the people is on July 20th, Mike will be put to sleep and he will feel my power and I will go down as the man who put Tyson to sleep for the last time.”
