(New York) Ring legend Mike Tyson spoke on Monday about the possibility of participating in another fight after his match against YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, brushing aside concerns about his age.
“It looks like it’s going to be fun,” “Iron Mike” said during a press conference at New York’s famous Apollo Theater. “Maybe we’ll do it again.” »
Aged 57, Mike Tyson has not fought professionally for almost 19 years and a defeat against the Irishman Kevin McBride.
“I no longer have the guts to continue,” the American declared at the time. “I probably won’t fight again. »
According to several media, the former world heavyweight champion should receive several million dollars for his participation in the fight which will take place on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Texas).
The meeting, in this 80,000-seat stadium, will be broadcast live on Netflix and accessible to all subscribers of the platform, i.e. 270 million households, a first for the streaming service.
PHOTO DAVID DEE DELGADO, REUTERS
Jake Paul
Many observers, notably former American boxing world champion Deontay Wilder, have expressed concern about seeing a nearly sixty-year-old (he will be 58 at the time of the match) lined up in a professional fight, saying they fear a serious injury .
“People who say that [qu’il est trop vieux] would just like to be in my place,” replied the Brooklyn native, who posted videos of his workouts on social media.
The fight against Jake Paul, aged 27, will take place in eight rounds of two minutes each.
“I feel great, but my body is shit right now,” said Mike Tyson, with a smile on his face.
“We are going to make history,” proclaimed Jake Paul during the press conference. “Mike wanted this, he wanted a pro fight. He wants war. And I respect the fact that he agreed. […] He’s a hero. »
The YouTuber with 20.7 million subscribers has already fought ten professional fights, none against a recognized boxer, and has won nine of them.
He created his own fight organizing company, Most Valuable Promotions, which organized the duel with Mike Tyson, and manages the interests of several boxers, including featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano.
The latter will also be at the meeting on July 20, and will try to take revenge on the Irish Katie Taylor, who beat her in April 2022.
“A lot of people think I’m an arrogant asshole, which I am sometimes, but I’m just trying to have fun and entertain,” Jake Paul pleaded. “The older generations want to see Mike knock me out, but the [jeunes] support me and hope that I will end [à la carrière] by Mike. »