Mike Tyson said he had no animosity toward his much younger opponent.
New York, United States:
Former heavyweight king Mike Tyson said Monday that his decision to return to the ring at age 57 was a “no-brainer,” brushing aside recent criticism that he was too old to return.
At a press conference in New York to promote his upcoming fight against YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, Tyson admitted that training for his comeback had taken its toll.
“I feel great, but my body feels like shit right now, I’m sore, I’m really sore,” said Tyson, who faces Paul on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which is home to Dallas. NFL Cowboys Team.
But the boxer who terrorized the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s as the self-proclaimed “baddest man on the planet” insisted he had no reservations about lacing up the gloves again, nearly two decades after his last professional fight in 2005. .
“It was a no-brainer,” Tyson said. “He’s a new, up-and-coming guy on the scene. And I like shaking up the sports world and I’m doing that now. It’s just something I want to do.”
Tyson, who turns 58 in June, faces 27-year-old Paul in an eight-round, two-minute professional fight that has been sanctioned by Texas boxing authorities.
However, several members of the boxing community, including former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, expressed reservations about the fight, expressing concern that Tyson would be injured.
Tyson dismissed skeptics when asked about his response on Monday.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson said. “The people who said that wish they were here. No one else can do that.”
Meanwhile, Paul said he is ready to handle Tyson’s experience and power.
“A lot of people are doubting me,” Paul said. “I see the comments, saying, ‘if Jake wins this fight, he’s rigged’ because of how incredible he looks.
“He’s a killer. He’s a warrior. He’s done this his whole life, so it’s second nature to him. I’ve only been doing this for four years and at a super high level.
“On July 20th, I will show the world that I can surpass Mike Tyson and prove everyone wrong, and show that I will be the one who kills.”
Meanwhile, Tyson said he had no animosity toward his much younger opponent.
“I really like Jake a lot. But once he’s in that ring, he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will be,” Tyson joked.
The former heavyweight icon even refused to rule out further fights in the future.
“Maybe we’ll do it again,” Tyson said. “But can I take care of Jake first, please?”
(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
