When the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight was announced, it shocked the boxing world—especially given that “Iron” Mike hadn’t been in the ring for nearly 20 years. During a recent press conference, Tyson opened up about his decision to accept the bout and the motivation behind his return.
At a press event held by LF*GO, Tyson was asked if he still had the energy to take on Jake Paul. He used the opportunity to reflect on his time as a professional boxer: “When I was fighting professionally, I think I was just too stressed out. I never had a chance to relax, I never had a chance to be me and enjoy who I was. I never had a chance to enjoy my championships.”
Tyson has been candid about the fact that the money he’ll earn from the fight won’t be life-changing, nor is he concerned with legacy at this point in his career. When pressed about his true motivation for taking the fight, Tyson offered a heartfelt response.
“Everything was coming at me, lawsuits here, divorces there, and I never really got a chance to enjoy myself as a human being. This is the moment of time I can be myself as a human being, I have better life skills than I had when I was fighting.”
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul press conference during Fanatics Fest in New York City.
With a 31-year age gap between the fighters (Paul, 27, and Tyson, 58), many are curious about how the two will match up in the ring. Tyson last fought professionally in 2005, losing to Kevin McBride in the fifth round. In contrast, Paul enters the fight fresh off a victory over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in July, showcasing his superior fitness.
see also
Not Jake Paul: Mike Tyson surprisingly names the only boxer who would give him 'fear'
Tyson addresses his ulcer situation
The Paul vs Tyson fight was first scheduled to be made on July 20, but after Mike suffered an ulcer flare-up, the bout had to be rescheduled. With the fight set for November 15, Tyson talked about the health issues he had at that moment.
“I was doing too much bad food and stuff, and I got sick. Too much bad processed food” said an ulcer-free Tyson in an interview with Daily Mail. With a new training method involving massages and a correct diet, the legendary boxer addressed the bad habits he has yet to get rid off: “I can’t escape the vapes.”
