Mike Tyson explained in a recent interview that he is “scared to death” about his upcoming fight with Jake Paul.
“I have a weird personality – I don’t think it’s weird though. Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it. That’s how it is,” Tyson said in an appearance on Fox News Tuesday. “I was afraid of the Roy [Jones Jr. fight [in 2020].”
That contest saw the then 54-year-old Tyson fight Jones to a split draw.
“I was 100 pounds overweight, I was however old, 54, 53, and I said ‘Let’s do it.’ Anything I’m afraid of, I confront it. That’s my personality,” Tyson explained “Right now, I’m scared to death.”
Tyson will be 58 when he steps into the ring with Paul.
RELATED: HUGE Boxing News: Jake Paul Will Step In The Ring Against ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson Is ‘Scared To Death’ But …
Don’t think for a second that ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson is intimidated, however. The man with the reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the history of boxing says the fear he’s feeling now translates to results later.
“I always believed that adversity and nervousness pretty much catapulted me into success. If I didn’t have these feelings, I wouldn’t go into this fight,” he said. “I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never go in the ring.”
In what should be a clear warning to Jake Paul, he says that fear ultimately translates to courage. Invincibility even.
“As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become, because it’s reality. And in reality, I’m invincible,” he declares.
RELATED: Mike Tyson Releases First Terrifying Training Video For Upcoming Jake Paul Fight
Greatly Mistaken
Tyson indicates that while Jake Paul has obviously come a long way since his YouTube days, he isn’t just going to hit the ring and beat him down.
“I saw a YouTube of him at 16 doing weird dances. That’s not the guy I’m gonna be fighting,” says Tyson. “This guy is gonna come, he’s gonna try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to, and he’s gonna be greatly mistaken.”
He points out that the fight, unlike the one with Roy Jones, is not an exhibition match. It is legit.
Mike Tyson says he's 100% serious about the Jake Paul fight. pic.twitter.com/Dzz7pbcGPF
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 3, 2024
Jake Paul, known as ‘The Problem Child’, explained in part his motivation for taking the fight. The fact that Tyson mixed him up with brother Logan.
“Imagine meeting your hero for the first time. And they call you your brother’s name,” Jake explained. “We don’t even fucking look alike. Ever since that day, Mike, I’ve wanted to knock you the fuck out.”
Even the WWE pre-Attitude Era thinks that’s a lame storyline, bro.
Tyson has been posting training videos on social media to hype the match. It looks like he also wants to ‘knock Jake the f*** out.’
57 year-old Mike Tyson training
— GreatLakesLady (@GreatlakesladyM) March 16, 2024
No worries Mike no one will mess with you pic.twitter.com/icQ41fjZSg
Tyson looks great. Is he invincible though? We’ll have to see.
The highly anticipated fight between Tyson and Paul is scheduled to take place on July 20, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Will you be watching?
