Jake Paul has talked up his own credentials as he dismissed suggestions he should be wary of the threat posed by Mike Tyson heading into their glamour bout. With a 30-year age gap between the two competitors, the much-publicized bout has been a source of much debate – but it appears the pair are blocking out the critics.
Just ten fights into his professional career in the ring, the prospect of 27-year-old Paul facing off against a man three decades his senior has proven a divisive proposition. Having defined an era during his heyday, 57-year-old Tyson will be determined to prove that age is just a number when he dons his gloves at AT&T Stadium in July.
The man once known as the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ has rarely fought following his official retirement back in 2005, with his appearances limited to two exhibition bouts since then. Still, recent footage of the former world unified heavyweight champion putting in his preparations for his comeback fight in the gym in the past month appeared to show that the icon still has his famous explosive power.
In clips posted on Instagram by ‘Iron Mike’, he was shown packing a mean punch as he was put through his paces during a series of exercises on the pads. However, his upcoming adversary Paul remains confident that he is the favourite coming into this summer’s contest, predicting he will be “too fast” and insisting he is not scared by his training videos. He said on FOX News: “I think he’s underestimating me, I truly, truly think that.
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“It’s a heavyweight fight, he’s the bigger man but I’m the faster man. He’s the much stronger man but I’m fresh. He’s experienced. I’m smart but in the ring he may be smarter. It’s are really interesting match-up and people see the training videos and think he’s a beast.
“But I know I have what it takes to beat him. It’s an honour to be in the ring with him but I’m confident I’ll have my hand raised. It’s going to be tough, he’s going to be getting inside but I believe I have the faster feet and faster hands and I’m going to be finding the angles.”
After nearly two decades away from competitive action, Tyson has admitted to some anticipation as he looks to defy his nemesis’ protestations in the coming months. Also speaking to FOX News, he confessed that the challenge excites him, saying: “I have a weird personality – I don’t think it’s weird though.
“I was afraid of the Roy [Jones] fight. I was 100 pounds overweight, I was however old, 54, 53, and I said ‘Let’s do it'”, he continued, as he explained his thought process after accepting the Netflix-backed fight. “Anything I’m afraid of, I confront it. That’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.
“I always believed that adversity and nervousness pretty much catapulted me into success. If I didn’t have these feelings, I wouldn’t go into this fight. I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never go in the ring. As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become because it’s reality, and in reality, I’m invincible.”
Clearly, however, Paul is outwardly convinced of his own mettle, even calling on former US president Donald Trump to take a ringside seat as he looks to out-do his personal hero. He said: “(Donald) Trump, if you’re watching this, this is an invite.
“I know you used to promote Tyson, so I’d love to have you at the fight. Vivek came to my other fight. And, of course, the silver fox, Barron Trump. So, Donny, pull up, we’ve got tickets for you.”
