As the Mike Tyson v Jake Paul fight edges closer, bookmakers seem to be siding for the YouTuber to defeat the man once dubbed the Baddest Man on the Planet.
Despite being a former heavyweight champion of the world, defeating the likes of Michael Spinks and Carl Williams in brutal fashion, former Disney star Paul is tipped to edge tonight's contest. While Paul may have only fought 11 times, he has won 10 of his bouts. The man nicknamed the Problem Child's only defeat to date came against rival Tommy Fury in 2023.
Despite the clear gulf in class at their prime, it's Paul's youth that is reportedly set to prove vital in the contest in Texas. When the pair get into the ring for the fight, which is being shown on Netflix, Paul will be over 30 years Tyson's junior. Paul is currently 27 years old, while Tyson is 58.
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The Ring Magazine via Getty Images)The huge age gap has caused concerns for fans across the globe, but he's tried his best to play down any fears. His last competitive fight came 19 years ago - a loss to Kevin McBride - while his last outing in the ring came four years ago in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr.
However, Tyson insists he is going to be "okay" on the night. Speaking in a recent interview with Manouk Akopyan, the fighter known as Iron Mike stated he is in a great place these days, and while he appreciates people's concern, he will be fine.
“Thank you very much for being concerned,” Tyson said. "But I am fighting. I’m going to be okay… I was a different person [when I last fought professionally in 2005]. I was using narcotics and alcohol back then.” (h/t Michael Benson)
He continued, "I’m not that person anymore. I see a better picture of myself. I see light, I see the world from a different perspective now.”
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Getty Images)However, a medical expert has spoke of their concern ahead of the fight, saying Tyson could be at a higher risk of neurological damage when he steps back into the ring. Dr. Nitin K Sethi, a clinical associate professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College and ringside physician told CNN: "When you talk about fighters who are now above the age of 40, you worry about two things.
"One, I worry about the fighting in the ring itself, because is that fighter more predisposed to getting a severe traumatic brain injury under my watch while in the ring because of his or her age? The second thing I worry about is, this is a fighter who was had many, many years of professional boxing under his or her belt. You worry about the chronic neurological injuries."
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