A ripped Mike Tyson has weighed in alongside his opponent Jake Paul for their fight on Friday night.
Both fighters stepped on the scales behind closed doors on Thursday morning but no results have been released. The YouTuber is expected to weigh around 220lb having previously campaigned at cruiserweight, a division with a 200lb weight limit.
Meanwhile Iron Mike weighed 233lb for his last professional fight against Kevin McBride which ended in defeat when Tyson quit on his stool after five rounds, the Mirror reports.
The formalities to ensure the fight goes ahead have been completed as a result of weighing in. They will ‘weigh in’ again in front of fans later on Thursday before facing off for the final time before the first bell rings in front of 75,000 fans at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Tyson was reluctant to engage during his final press conference with Paul on Wednesday. “Are you talking to me? Yes I am back. I am just happy to be here. I love you too,” Tyson said in response to his first question. “I’m just ready to fight. I’ve said everything I had to say, there’s nothing else to say. I’m just looking forward to fighting.”
Originally scheduled for July, the fight was pushed back after Tyson suffered an inflamed ulcer, collapsed and was taken to hospital. The fight will count on the fighters’ respective professional records, but will only consist of eight two-minute rounds and 14oz gloves will be used rather than the traditional 10oz.
Replying to people who say this is not a professional fight, Tyson said: “Well, the people (here) speak for itself. I don’t have to answer.” Quizzed on what a loss would do to him, ‘Iron Mike’ showed a flicker of his old self.
“I’m not going to lose,” Tyson snapped back. “I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?” Given the considerable age gap between the fighters, Paul, 27, has been installed as the favourite. But Tyson said: “Thank you. Hey, I’m fine with everything, I’m fine with everything. “I am just interested in this fight here. I am not talking about fighting anybody, only Jake.”
Tyson had been happy to trash talk in the build-up and claimed Paul was a “manufactured killer” in comparison to himself being a “natural-born killer”, but cut a tired figure in the penultimate media activity of fight week. “Yeah that’s what I said, that’s what I said,” Tyson reflected.
Midway through the press conference retired-British boxer Tony Bellew attempted to speak with Paul via a microphone he had brought into the venue, but was quickly surrounded by security and host Helwani moved proceedings on.
Cleveland-born Paul, who lost to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia last year, repeatedly tried to goad Tyson and was typically more forthcoming than the boxing great. Paul showed off a diamond spiked ear cover in reference to Tyson’s bite on Evander Holyfield in 1997 and insisted the fight would not go the distance.
“Someone’s getting put to sleep. It’s going to be a war and we’re both heavy hitters. It’s not going the full 16 minutes,” Paul promised. Paul also offered bets to the other boxers in attendance that backed Tyson for victory with an overall 9-3 score in favour of the veteran from the under-card fighters.
Tyson was given the last word at a 30-minute press conference, and he said, “I’m just ready to fight.” After a low-key face-off, Tyson lowered his head and left, with all eyes on if Friday’s bout can play out without incident.
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