2024-08-20 05:50:02
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 18: Jake (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics)
On Saturday in New York, Jake Paul told the world his primary objectives for November 15, when he is scheduled to clash with boxing icon Mike Tyson, is to “KO a legend” and “make a bag.”
The proverbial bag is pretty significant, as Paul said he will collect $40 million for his efforts.
Here is a clip of Paul’s claim, which was posted by the official X account for his promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions:
Tyson seemed a bit more reserved throughout the presser while Paul launched himself into the full-fledged heel persona that has made him one of the most polarizing athletes in the world for the past three years.
Paul peppered Tyson with insults and made several comments aimed at his critics.
“At the end of the day, people are always going to have something to say,” Paul said. “It’s because of who I am. I proved everyone wrong. Reminder: the most hated and most criticized boxer in the sport of boxing before they loved them was Muhammad Ali. So I’m the anti-hero, and people will love me soon enough once they realize what I’ve done for this sport and who I truly am. But it doesn’t bother me at the end of the day, because when you’re at the top, people are clawing to rip you down. And that’s just the way the game goes.”
Tyson smiled at most of the comments, and when he was prompted with questions, his responses were short but not necessarily sweet: Tyson was asked if he would be in his prime 1990s form.
“Hey, listen, as soon as I catch this guy, it’s over,” Tyson said. “Jake Paul is going to be running around the ring, but as soon as I catch this guy, it’s going to be totally over.”
Assuming the 59-year-old Tyson has anything left in the tank, does he represent the biggest challenge of Paul’s career? If Tyson is still a dangerous puncher, there could be some level of a threat–especially early in the fight.
However, it is almost unfathomable to think that Tyson will have the stamina to remain dangerous for more than a round. At that point, Paul’s youth and underrated boxing skills could make things ugly for the boxing legend. The other major question ahead of the fight is Tyson’s health.
The fight was originally supposed to happen in July, but complications from an ulcer forced Tyson out, and Paul knocked out Mike Perry instead. Tyson was asked about his health at the presser.
“I’m very prepared to knock out Jake Paul,” Tyson said. “I’m very prepared. I had a small adversity. I got sick, but I feel good. I’m just ready. I’m just ready. I’m going to do my talk and I’m going to talk my s###, but I’m ready to fight.”
Even if there were doubts about his readiness for the November date, Tyson wouldn’t likely indicate his concerns. That said, you have to wonder if Paul’s team has a contingency plan and if other fighters are ready to step in and take Tyson’s place if the former heavyweight champion cannot fight.
Former opponents like Tyron Woodley seem like potential candidates for a third meeting with Paul, and perhaps another boxing legend like Roy Jones Jr. could be a possible opponent for Paul. The ideal replacement would be a fighter who appears to pose a threat but may not be at the level of an active pro just yet.
Paul is progressing toward fighting more active pros, but that isn’t likely to happen until sometime in 2025. This would be on par with what we see from most fighters with little experience.
The main difference here is that most of Paul’s opponents have some level of celebrity, which can easily skew that it’s normal for an inexperienced boxer to fight lower-level competition at the start of their careers.
We’ll find out in November if Paul has bitten off more than he can chew with Tyson.
