Mike Tyson is eyeing a ‘full comeback’ after fighting Jake Paul and says no boxers will be ‘off the table’, not even the top-three heavyweights in the world.
Tyson, 58, enters the ring for a professional fight for the first time in almost two decades on Friday night as he aims to all-but end the fledgling boxing career of YouTube sensation Paul, 27.
In 1986, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history and went on to establish himself as one of the greats of the sport over the next decade.
His upcoming opponent, Paul, is preparing for his 12th boxing fight since entering a sport he has vowed to dominate in the coming years.
Paul’s record – 10 wins and one loss – is impressive but fans and pundits have dismissed the quality of many of his rivals, while his sole defeat came early last year to Tommy Fury.
Tyson says he is ‘taking one fight at a time’ but has hinted at a ‘full comeback’ after his bout at the Dallas Cowboys stadium in Texas and refused to rule out fights with current heavyweight superstars Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.
Fury and Usyk are in camp ahead of their much-anticipated rematch on December 21, while Dubois’ status has gone to another level since he stunned Antony Joshua with an impressive performance at Wembley in September.
Asked whether he could fight Fury or Usyk for the world heavyweight belts – potentially becoming the oldest champion in history – Tyson told the Daily Mail: ‘Intriguing. Nothing will be excluded after I knock out Jake Paul.
‘Listen, I’m taking this one fight, one person at a time. But if this one goes as well as I expect, then a full comeback is not off the table.’
Pressed on whether he was serious about potentially fighting Fury, Usyk or Dubois, the sports icon added: ‘As I said, anything and everything would be included.’
Tyson believes Paul ‘doesn’t look confident’ ahead of their bout at the home of the Dallas Cowboys and expects to be too good for a man 31 years his junior.
‘For sure he’ll be thinking I am a monster,’ said Tyson. ‘He doesn’t look confident.
‘Appearances can be misleading but what I do know is that I’m not worried about nothing.
‘I’m not nervous. Never am. Always confident. Prepared to win. Can’t wait to go. I feel young and strong again. Ready again.
‘We’re here to put on a show for a lot of people. Two-minute rounds will make for more intense, more exciting action. No time for all that feeling each other out. Straight to business.’
Tyson has also offered his prediction for next month’s huge heavyweight fight between Fury and Usyk.
Usyk became boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion when the pair met back in May, with Fury losing for the first time in his 16-year professional career.
‘Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment,’ said Tyson. ‘But I’m going for Fury to beat him.
‘Why? Because I’m a fan. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not abandoning him now.’
.
.