Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are shrugging off their critics as they prepare for their professional bout on 20 July at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Tyson will be the ripe age of 58 when he steps into the ring to face YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Paul, who is three decades his junior.
The fight announcement has been met with heavy criticism from fans and boxing figures alike, with particular concerns raised over Tyson's health, given that the former heavyweight champion once relied on a support cane.
However, recent sparring videos have quelled some of these concerns, showcasing Tyson's formidable punching power. In a promotional video for Netflix, Tyson and Paul read through some negative comments, responding with explicit retorts.
"I hope Mike bites Jake's ear off," one fan joked, which elicited a smile from Tyson. "This fight going to be like watching a pitbull tear apart a chihuahua. Jake got no idea what he got into," another commented.
Another said: "Can't believe the greatest boxer of all time is fighting Mike Tyson." Tyson responded simply: "F*** off."
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Paul is confident that the stadium will be filled to capacity despite tickets remaining widely available across all sections of the Dallas Cowboys' stadium for the event.
"It's crazy to think about but as many people as can fit in the stadium, I think it's 90,000 or 93,000," he shared with TMZ Sports.
"I think it's going to be packed to the brim and the global viewership could be in the hundreds of millions. It's wild and it doesn't make any sense but the fact Netflix are part of this is the perfect piece of the puzzle.
"It makes it the perfect trifecta of Netflix's audience, my audience and Mike Tyson's audience. And to the kids at home, [it says] don't listen to the critics.
"Do you and don't be afraid to knock down the doors of opportunity because you truly never know where it's going to lead you."
Paul further added: "Absolutely not. If he has the same opportunity you know damn well he's going to finish me in embarrassing fashion so I have to reciprocate that same energy.
"Mike Tyson is a killer, he's ruthless and he's the most vicious champion ever so I have to channel that Mike Tyson energy to finish him and the legend must fall."
Tyson has only fought once since 2005, when he faced Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match in November 2020.
Iron Mike's last professional bout was against Kevin McBride, where he quit on his stool after five rounds in June 2005.