The prospect of Jake Paul taking on one of the most iconic fighters of all time is something that has been discussed for years.
Paul made his sophomore professional outing on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s ring return against Roy Jones Jr in November of 2020. And when he fought next against Ben Askren, the YouTube star was still working with fight promotion Triller.
It was then that he came up with the idea of facing Tyson in a potential exhibition bout, but his team weren’t so keen. Now, three-and-a-half years later, the fight has become a reality, with the pair facing off in a fully sanctioned heavyweight professional boxing match.
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New footage shows Jake Paul’s coaches warn him against Mike Tyson fight
Around the time of Jake Paul’s fight with MMA legend Askren, which he won by knockout in the first round, fans began to discuss the idea of a potential exhibition with ‘Iron Mike’. It was believed that the monstrous age difference would be an equalizer, and that they would likely just move around anyway.
And the YouTube star put the idea to his time while travelling to one of the Askren fight week events. However, his long-time coach and friend; former world title contender J’Leon Love, warned him against the idea.
In the video, which Paul posted just days out from his November 15 clash with Tyson, he can be seen asking his team about the potential of what he feels would be an ‘hilarious’ fight. Love shakes his head and laughs, before giving him some sage advice.
“Crazy idea,” he began. “Do you think I could beat Mike Tyson?” Love giggled and replied “F*** no,” to which Paul questioned his response. “Like not even a year from now?” Love then noted that a veteran of that level would be able to find a way to victory even at his age.
“Mike Tyson just got s*** he know how to do bro that’s just, like…” Paul then replies that Tyson is “a dog”, before saying: “I was just thinking, Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson? That would be hilarious.”
Jake Paul admits his mother is terrified of Mike Tyson bout
And it does appear that the consensus with older viewers is that there is a real chance Tyson can cause an upset. There are concerns about the 31-year age gap between the pair, with the heavyweight icon turning 58 this summer.
Paul is an active 10-1 boxer who has landed seven knockouts in his career. But he has generally competed at the lower end of cruiserweight, and against either celebrities, UFC fighters coming over to the ring or boxers who are on the smaller side.
His dad Greg Paul has warned him that no matter the age, Tyson will be far and away the hardest puncher he has ever faced. And his mother Pam Stepnick is not keen on the bout at all, having grown up during the heavyweight’s heyday.
Speaking with Bloody Elbow earlier this year at a PFL media event, Paul claimed that his mother was terrified of his latest announcement. “She will be there but my mom is very scared actually,” he explained at the time.
“Like, she keeps on asking me if I’m ready, asking my team if I’m ready. She’s not liking this one, to be honest. He just looks scary and big, and his Instagram videos on the mitts look crazy and everything, so I get it.”
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