Mike Tyson admits he feels “shit” and “pain” as he prepares to return to the ring, but the 57-year-old has opened the door to more comeback fights after taking on Jake Paul.
The former undisputed world heavyweight champion faces the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a controversial fight on Netflix on July 20.
The two fighters met face to face for the first time in New York on Monday for a press conference that soon turned into a circus.
Tyson has been warned not to return to the ring, almost two decades after his last professional fight. The 57-year-old has been regularly posting videos from his training camp.
He claims he has been preparing a soundtrack of dirge songs and has made no effort to hide the toll the camp is taking.
Mike Tyson said his body feels ‘shit’ as he gets into shape to fight Jake Paul on July 20.
Tyson and Paul held a news conference in New York ahead of the fight in Dallas in two months.
‘My body is shit right now. I’m sore,” Tyson said. When it was suggested that the former heavyweight champion was playing possum, he responded: “I wish.”
Tyson was asked to give a message to those who advise him against returning to the ring, including Deontay Wilder.
“I think people who say that wish they were up here. Because no one else can do this,” he said.
“No one else can close the world of sports.”
When asked by Mail Sport if this comeback would be a one-off fight or the first of multiple comeback fights, Tyson said: “This looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun, so maybe we’ll do it again…let me take care of Jake first.” “. .’
There were few fireworks between Tyson and Paul, whose confrontation included a handshake, a laugh and some playful punches to the kidney.
‘We are friends, there is no doubt. But in the ring we will not be friends,” Tyson added.
“I really like Jake, but he’s going to have to fight like his life is on the line, because it is.”
Katie Taylor will face Amanda Serrano on the AT&T Stadium card, while Tyson-Paul has officially been sanctioned as a professional fight.
There will be two rounds, instead of the traditional three, and Tyson will say: “I wanted shorter rounds because I wanted more action.”