Mike Tyson has addressed comments about retiring from boxing after his upcoming fight with Jake Paul.
After being forced to postpone their July 20 bout after ‘Iron Mike’ suffered an ulcer flare-up, the two will do battle at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November, 15 in eight two-minute rounds.
This will be Mike Tyson’s first professional fight since 2005, in which he lost to Kevin McBride, and his first time in the ring since 2020, when he faced Roy Jones Jr.
As for Jake Paul, he fought Mike Perry, who stood in as a last-minute replacement for Tyson, defeating the former UFC star inside six rounds.
Mike Tyson ‘open’ to continuing career
Even at the age of 58, it seems that Tyson isn’t planning on slowing down any time soon.
His legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time has never been in doubt but that doesn’t cross his mind when it comes to retirement and ‘Iron Mike’ admitted that he wouldn’t be against more fights after Paul.
“Hey, we have options. We’ll see,” he said.
“I’m going to do my talk and I’m going to talk my s**t, but I’m ready to fight.
“Hey, listen, as soon as I catch this guy it’s over.
“Jake Paul is going to be running around the ring but as soon as I catch this guy, it’s going to be totally over.”
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Michael Bisping slams Jake Paul’s decision to fight Mike Tyson
The decision to sanction the fight between Tyson and Paul has caused plenty of controversy.
One of the biggest concerns is the 31-year age difference and despite Tyson’s previous successes, several have criticized Paul for taking on the fight, with some even booing him during Sunday’s press conference.
Michael Bisping is one of those, labeling 27-year-old Paul “pathetic”.
He said: “Jake, I hate to point out the obvious, that makes you look pathetic.
“You just admitted that you’re going up against an old man, who is a legend of course, but he’s not that guy anymore.
“You are a joke. You are a disgrace to the combat world. You’re an imposter. You’re a wannabe. You’re a fake.
“Challenge yourself, you pathetic man, you pathetic individual. Fighting is about challenging yourself.”