Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson was angry when he was hinted at as a gimmick at the press conference before the fight with 27-year-old American YouTuber Jake Paul on July 20.
Tyson and Jake attended a press conference at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on May 16, where they will fight next July. Here, in response to questions about the authenticity of the fight, Tyson denied any arrangements or scenarios, and affirmed his determination to knock out Jake and “silence the doubters”.
But the heavyweight boxing legend got angry with a question for his opponent. A reporter asked Jake why he fought with a “58-year-old gimmick”.
Tyson loudly said: “What did you just call me?”. The 57-year-old boxer later affirmed: “Age is not a determining factor in strength, will or skill. It depends on personality and beliefs.”
On March 7, Netflix announced the fight with a video recording the scene of Paul stepping out of the helicopter and facing Tyson. The match will be held at the 80,000-seat home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys and streamed live on Netflix. The fight immediately caused controversy because of the 30-year age gap between Paul and Tyson – who will turn 58 years old when he fights.
“I don’t see too many people criticizing it. Look at this,” Tyson said, pointing to the noisy crowd at an entertainment venue near where the fight was held. When the reporter said there were many critical views, Tyson continued, “Who? Name me. You or who?”.
Texas state authorities approved the fight between Tyson and Jake as a professional fight, but there will be eight rounds of two minutes each instead of 10 or 12 rounds lasting three minutes each like top boxing. The gloves will be heavier (14 ounces instead of 10), which is said to reduce the power of punches.
Tyson won the WBC title at the end of 1986, when he was 20 years old. To this day, he is still the youngest heavyweight boxer in history to own a world championship belt. However, the peak of “Steel Mike” lasted less than four years, before losing to underdog boxer Buster Douglas in early 1990. After this loss, Tyson declined in form and went to prison for rape. In the late 1990s, he tried to return, but the biggest impression left was the biting of Evander Holyfield’s ear, instead of the titles.
Tyson hung up his gloves in 2005, after losing three of the last four fights of his career. On November 28, 2020, he returned with an exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr. With scores from three guest judges of 76-76, 79-73, 76-80, Tyson and Jones Jr. be reconciled. Both boxers received a special belt called “Frontline Battle” awarded by the WBC.
Jake Paul is a famous American Youtuber who has been involved in boxing since 2020. He has ten professional fights, won nine and lost one – a loss to Tommy Fury – younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury – back in the day. February 2023. According to British newspaper Sunsport, Paul has a net worth of $35 million, while Tyson’s net worth is only about $10 million.
“I respect Tyson,” Jake said. “But the time has come. Now is my time. I will be the one who knocks out Tyson for the last time.”
