Boxing icon Mike Tyson has vowed to beat up Jake Paul ‘very badly’ ahead of their controversial fight, which will be broadcast live on Netflix.
Former world heavyweight champion Tyson will step into the ring with YouTuber-turned boxer Paul on November 15 in Texas after the original date for the bout was postponed.
The pair were due to go head-to-head in July but Tyson, 58, had to withdraw because of medical advice following an ulcer flare up.
The fight, which has been described as ‘must-see’ by Netflix, has controversially been sanctioned as a professional bout despite being under certain conditions, including the use of heavier gloves to limit the possibility of serious injury.
Tyson is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, winning 50 of his 56 fights, 44 by way of knockout. He was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 and reclaimed his belts in 1996 after being sent to prison.
Tyson was involved in two blockbuster fights with Evander Holyfield in the late 1990s, with the second called off after he twice bit his opponent’s ear, providing one of the biggest sports stories of all time.
His upcoming opponent, 27-year-old Paul, has won nine of his ten fights, with his solitary defeat coming against British boxer Tommy Fury last year.
Tyson has promised to ‘finish’ Paul when the two meet later this year and has opened up on his strict training regime which sees him spend around six hours a day in the gym.
Responding to American television host Jimmy Kimmel, who suggested he was going to place a bet on Tyson to beat Paul, the sports icon said: ‘I think that’s a good idea.
‘I’m nearly 60 and he’s 27 but I started Jake Paul off by allowing him to fight on one of my cards and now I’m going to finish him. I started him and I’m going to finish him.
‘I like him but in this particular fight, he has to go. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy fight. I know this guy is going to be prepared, but I’m prepared too.
‘I’m training extremely hard. I start at 11am and I might still be at the gym at 5pm. I’ll have a small break after doing my boxing to get a massage and then I’m right into strength and conditioning.’
Asked simply if he was going to beat Paul, Tyson responded: ‘Badly… very badly.’
Earlier this month Jake Paul, whose brother Logan has also taken part in boxing events, said there was no back-up opponent in case Tyson was forced to pull out for a second time.
‘I don’t have concern. He’s doing great,’ the successful YouTuber told TMZ.
‘He’s super healthy behind the scenes and feeling great, so that’s what we’re focused on, and there’s not a back-up [opponent] currently.’
Irish boxer Katie Taylor will also feature on Netflix’s first-ever boxing show, with her rematch against Amanda Serrano acting as the co-main event.
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