Mike Tyson Reduces Fan Concerns

Mike Tyson admitted that he was very ready to face Jake Paul (Instagram/@miketyson).

JAKARTA Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson is trying to reduce fan concerns over Jake Paul's knockout threat.

The duel between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will be held at AT&T Stadium, Texas, Friday, November 15, 2024 evening local time or Saturday, November 16, 2024, morning WIB. The fight is predicted to be attended by more than 80 thousand spectators.

The difference in age between the two who are very distant or to be precise for about three decades makes Tyson fans worry that their champion will be beaten by knockouts. Tyson is currently 58 years old, while Paul is only 27 years old.

In response, Mike Tyson also tried to convince his fans that he is currently in a better condition than at the beginning he retired.

"Thank you very much for your attention, but I'm struggling. I'll be fine. I was a different person when I was (in the fight)," Tyson was quoted as saying by MMA Fighting.

Even though he has repeatedly stated that he is ready to fight with Paul, concerns among his fans remain large.

You see, this duel was postponed from the original date after Tyson experienced a medical emergency on the flight.

Tyson insists that based on all the training he has had, he is more than ready for this fight. Moreover, he has tested a fight with a more mature opponent during preparations.

"I played with young boxers and they hit me very hard. It wasn't easy when I first started training," said the fighter nicknamed Iron Mike.

Tyson decided to retire from professional boxing at the age of 38 after losing to Kevin McBride in 2005. He had been out for a long time before returning in an exhibition duel against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.

The difficult times had time to destroy Tyson's life. With abundant money, he also fell into illegal drugs and the world of women who made him bankrupt.

"I used narcotics and alcohol at that time. I'm not that kind of person anymore. I see a better picture of myself now. I see the world from a different point of view now," said Tyson.

Tyson's professional career journey is controversial. This includes a rape case in 1992 that caused him to be jailed for two years.

Then in 2006 Tyson was arrested for driving drunk. At that time he admitted to drug use and addiction so he had to go into rehabilitation in 2007.