Jake Paul has gone from boy to man during his short boxing career.
‘The Problem Child’ is set to take on former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday evening.
On Thursday, the ex-Disney actor tipped the scales at a career high 227lbs before getting slapped by ‘Iron Mike’ after stepping on his toe during a fiery face-off.
In doing so, Jake Paul has completed his journey from a lanky YouTuber trying out boxing for fun, to a stocky heavyweight ready to take on one of the sport’s biggest legends.
Jake Paul is 45lbs heavier than his boxing debut
Paul made his white-collar boxing debut against fellow YouTuber Deji in August 2018.
The 27-year-old weighed in at 181.9lb, while KSI’s brother tipped the scales at 174.4lbs before getting TKO’d in the fifth round of their clash in Manchester, England.
Two years later, Paul returned 10lbs heavier for a cruiserweight fight with AnEsonGib, who he impressively stopped in two minutes to kick of his professional career with a win.
During his 10-1 run as a pro, Paul has never weighed below 184lbs, and the heaviest he’s been in the ring was 199.8 lbs for a fight with Ryan Bourland last year.
Since then, he’s stacked on a ton of weight for his heavyweight debut.
Paul’s new career-high weight of 227lbs sees him complete a remarkable 45lb heavyweight body transformation, which has been six years in the making.
Tyson weighed just 1lb heavier than his first professional opponent since journeyman Kevin McBride made him quit and retire in 2005.
Mike Tyson sends message to worried fans
Many people are concerned for Tyson’s wellbeing ahead of his comeback fight.
Not only is the 58-year-old preparing to fight someone over three decades younger than him, he’s also doing it after suffering a serious medical issue that meant he ‘almost died’ earlier this year.
As the fight has crept closer, the voices of worried fans have become louder and louder.
Tyson has now attempted to ease concerns for his safety by issuing a response to concered fans.
“Time changes [a person], I was a different person back then, and it’s time for me to come back,” Tyson said.
“I was a different person [when I last fought professionally in 2005] … I was using narcotics and alcohol back then and I’m not that person anymore. I see a better picture of myself, I see light, I see the world from a different perspective now.”
“Thank you very much for being concerned, but I am fighting… I’m going to be okay.
“I feel great; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I boxed for eight rounds. Listen, I’m sparring young guys and they’re hitting me real hard; it wasn’t a picnic when I first started training, these young guys gave me a shellacking at first.”
“I’m doing my s***. I was born to do this, I was built for this stuff, I was born to sellout a Stadium – this is what I’ve wanted to do my whole entire life.”
- READ MORE: Logan Paul breaks his silence after Mike Tyson slaps Jake Paul during ‘iconic’ face-off scuffle