Jake Paul has revealed he isn’t planning for a backup opponent in the event that boxing legend Mike Tyson withdraws from their highly anticipated fight. Initially set for July, the bout was postponed to November following a medical emergency Tyson experienced during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. Despite the setback, Paul remains certain that Tyson will make it to the ring.
The 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, who is expected to earn a staggering £30 million ($40 million) from the fight, downplayed concerns about Tyson’s health. In a recent interview with TMZ, Paul confidently stated, “He’s doing great. He’s super healthy behind the scenes and feeling great. So that’s what we are focusing on and there is not a back-up currently.”
Paul’s confidence in Tyson’s ability to fight comes without any contingency plan. Former UFC welterweight star Mike Perry stepped in for a previous fight after Tyson’s health scare, but Paul has not prepared a replacement for the November showdown.
When asked if fighting Tyson would bring more credibility to his career, Paul responded unapologetically, saying, “I’m here to make $40m and knock out a legend. I don’t give a f*** about anything else. He’s the one who wanted it to be a pro fight and he’s going to get his ass knocked out for real.”
Paul, often criticized for his background as a YouTube personality and Disney actor, has faced backlash for his boxing career. However, he remains unfazed, adding, “Every time fighters sit across from me and it’s ‘YouTuber this and Disney kid that’ and they end up on the canvas … this is going to be no different.”
For Tyson, the fight is less about the payday and more about reliving his glory days in the ring. The 58-year-old former heavyweight champion, known for his intense drive and passion for boxing, admitted to Esquire, “I’m a glory junkie. I love people thinking about me all day. I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity.”
As the fight date approaches, Paul is preparing for what he believes will be a defining moment in his career, while Tyson seeks the thrill of another victory. Both fighters are eager for the bout, but the fight world remains anxious to see if Tyson will indeed step into the ring this November.
