Jake Paul has thrown down the gauntlet to Mike Tyson ahead of their long-awaited clash in November.
The social media star has caused quite a stir in the boxing world since making his professional debut just four years ago.
In a series of highly publicized fights, the 27-year-old, who first gained notoriety on the now-defunct social media platform Vine, amassed a record of ten wins with just one in-ring loss.
However, his biggest challenge remains ahead as he prepares to face former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson in eight rounds at AT&T Stadium in November.
Tyson earned a reputation as one of the most fearsome punchers the sport of boxing has ever known, racking up 24 first-round knockouts in a professional career that spanned from 1985 until his initial retirement in 2005.
Jake Paul insisted he is prepared for everything Mike Tyson will throw at him when they meet inside the ring.
The social media star will face Tyson in an eight-round professional fight in November.
Pair had initially been scheduled to fight earlier this year before Tyson was forced to withdraw.
Speaking before the clash, Paul insisted he had been preparing diligently for Tyson’s charging style.
“I mean, it’s just being alert and knowing what to do in that situation.” Paul told Mail Sport.
“I could definitely see him trying (to go for an early KO), but he’ll find out very quickly that I have a lot of power too.”
“So doing that with a guy like me isn’t always the smartest thing, because I catch one of his shots and then counterattack.”
In a pre-event press conference, Paul criticized Tyson for requesting that the fight be fought in two-minute rounds.
“It’s interesting, I’m just going by facts.” Paul continued. “He was like, ‘Watch your form, watch your form.’ I’m like, OK, but look at him.
‘It could be an advantage for him. I think it’s smart that he’s doing that too. I’m fighting according to all his rules and what he wanted.
‘He wanted it to be a professional fight. He wanted eight two-minute rounds. So I’m giving him everything he wants. “I’m going to go to his playground and I’m going to beat his ass.”
Although the event, which will air worldwide on Netflix PPV in a first for the streaming giant, has generated notable attention, there remains significant criticism, particularly around the 31-year age gap between the combatants. .
The 27-year-old insisted that fans who are concerned about the 31-year age difference should take their concerns directly to Tyson.
The former undisputed champion has not fought since an exhibition with Roy Jones Jnr in 2020.
After all, Paul wasn’t even born during Tyson’s legendary initial world title run and was just eight years old when Iron Mike first hung up his gloves following a loss to Irish journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005.
The backlash only gained steam after Tyson, 58, was forced to pull out of his originally scheduled date in July after suffering a medical emergency on a plane.
However, Paul insisted that detractors should address any concerns they have about the showdown with Tyson himself.
“I would say say it to Mike Tyson’s face and see what happens.” He added.
‘Mike does what Mike wants to do, and he’s the one you know wanted to make this a professional fight. He still wants to do it and thinks he can really beat me behind the scenes.
“For him, age is just a number, and he looks athletic, he looks strong and he looks good in the gloves, so we’ll see how that translates in the ring.”
One of the main factors that has made Paul’s foray into combat sports so compelling is his ability to seemingly have multiple future plans lined up for his career simultaneously.
In addition to signing with the Professional Fighters League ahead of a potential MMA debut, Paul has also signaled his intention to represent the US at home in amateur boxing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Paul also appeared at that event, delivering a devastating KO against former NBA star Nate Robinson.
Since then he has reeled off a series of notable victories against MMA stars inside the ring.
One fighter he has set his sights on is the UFC’s great and devastating pound-for-pound knockout artist, Alex Pereira.
When asked if a deal could be reached for that fight to take place inside the ring, Paul added that he believes UFC president Dana White is prepared to take that risk.
“I’m down, obviously it’s up to Dana, but I don’t think he’ll take the risk of letting Pereira fight me.
“I just think it would be too risky, because he’s basically the biggest star in the UFC right now, so I don’t see Dana letting him out of his contract to box me. But I want the fight.
‘I think the fans want the fight. I want the baddest man in the UFC, and that’s Pereira, and because when I beat him, everyone will be shocked and there will be no more excuses after that.’
With a multitude of options in the boxing world ahead of him, you’d be forgiven for thinking Paul had neglected his potential MMA debut inside the PFL cage.
However, he insisted that a trio of former UFC stars whom he has previously defeated inside the ring remain in his sights.
Paul has his own ambitions to compete inside the cage and signed a deal with the PFL to make his MMA debut last year.
‘Yeah, I mean, I wanted Nate Diaz, and he kept dodging the offer. But I think there’s definitely potential to do MMA with Mike Perry or Tyron Woodley.
“I think when they find the right opponent for MMA, I will go there.
“I hope and pray that Nate Diaz has to be there with me, because I think that would be legendary, and when I beat him, I will literally steal his entire legacy.”
