What did Mike Tyson say about his boxing match against Jake Paul?

When news of the bout was first announced, many celebrated what they hoped would be an opportunity to see the former YouTube star get his clock cleaned. Faced with arguably the most dangerous fighter in boxing history, surely there could be no other outcome. Yet, as details of the rules began to emerge, it started to look more like a dance rehearsal than a boxing match. Now, the former heavyweight world champion says that’s not the case.

Mike Tyson insists the Jake Paul fight is the real deal

While the banter ahead of a boxing match is always laden with barbs and threats, one does get the feeling that ahead of Mike Tyson’s July 20th fight with Jake Paul, there is a certain element of justification mixed in with the normal chatter. Indeed, many have called the rules of the fight farcical as they appeared to significantly protect Paul. Interestingly, Tyson has now insisted that while the bout won’t be considered official - it’s an exhibition match - it will not have the restrictions that such matches normally do.

Speaking earlier this week, the fight legend spoke to the idea that he is taking Paul seriously though he believes he will be victorious. “This is called an exhibition, but if you look up exhibition, you will not see any of the laws that we’re fighting under. This is a fight. I don’t think he’s faster than me. I’ve seen a YouTube of him at 16 doing weird dances. That’s not the guy I’m going to be fighting. This guy is going to come, he’s going to try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to. He’s going to be greatly mistaken.”

So, what can we expect from Tyson vs Paul?

That’s a good question. For the moment, what we know is that Netflix is set to livestream the event from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Aside from that and a reported $20 million payday for Mike Tyson, not much else is known, including what Jake Paul himself is set to earn. It’s worth noting that according to reports, the promoters of the fight have not provided any details to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation which could also be why information is scarce.

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This brings us back to the central question: Is this going to be a real fight? Now, if we take the bout between Paul’s older brother Logan and the now-retired Floyd Mayweather as an example, then the answer is likely a solid no. Back in 2021, the older Paul faced Mayweather in an eight-round exhibition that ended without a finish and no winner was declared, though it must be said Mayweather looked to be in control of the match. Truthfully, one could say the only thing that was lost that day, were the dollars paid by those who watched the bout that wasn’t. As you can imagine, there are many who fear that such a farce will occur once again, but interestingly Tyson has insisted that won’t be the case.

“Right now, I’m scared to death. But as the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become, because it’s reality, and in reality, I’m invincible,” Tyson said before adding, “I do not have no grudges against him. He’s beautiful.” If you say so, Mike. Where Paul is concerned, he has gone about promoting the fight in typical fashion with jokes and insults about his opponent, including a reference to the infamous ear-biting moment with Evander Holyfield and even a photo with a tiger. Now in the fifth year of his attempt to become an actual boxer, Paul has divided the boxing world with the large majority of fans and fighters considering him a gimmick. At the same time, some - Tyson included - have praised the way in which he has rekindled interest in a sport that has at times struggled to reinvent itself. Whatever the case, we must still come back to the ‘reality’ as Tyson calls it, which is assuming this fight happens, expect Jake Paul to lose.