Mike Tyson is 31 years older than YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul, But he heads into his long-awaited fight this fall without hesitation.
In fact, the legendary boxer He has a pretty optimistic mindset about the whole thing.
Mike Tyson, Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul pose onstage during the press conference for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in Arlington at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)
“I don't think he can hurt me.”
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In an interview published by Esquire On Monday, Tyson spoke out about the constant advice from friends and family about the risks of fighting Paul, who at 27 has made a successful transition from the world of social media to the boxing ring, where he currently holds a 9-1 record.
But for Tyson, that's not up for debate.
“I'm a glory junkie. I love people thinking about me all day long,” Tyson told the outlet in an interview that took place just days before his fight. suffered a medical emergency on a flight. “I'd rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It's just who I am.”
November 28, 2020; Los Angeles, CA. Mike Tyson exits the ring after his split draw against Roy Jones, Jr. during a heavyweight exhibition boxing bout for the WBC top-tier belt at Staples Center. (Joe Scarnici/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports)
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“This is all I started fighting for, to get all this damn status,” he later continued. “I'm going to chase it for the rest of my life. I know that. I'm never going to get what I want, because I'm one of those pain gluttons. I can never get enough.”
Tyson, who turned 58 in late June, was on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles in May when it was reported that he had… I suffered from nausea and dizziness. His representatives said in a statement at the time that the incident was due “to an ulcer flare-up 30 minutes before landing.”
The medical episode caused concern for Tyson and led to speculation that the fight might be cancelled. However, Most Valuable Promotions announced that the fight would be postponed after Tyson consulted with medical professionals.
Mike Tyson speaks onstage during the press conference for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in Arlington at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)
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The official fight, Tyson's first in nearly two decades, will take place on November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Paul will fight on the originally scheduled date, July 20, against MMA star and bare-knuckle boxing champion Mike Perry.
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