Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are set to fight later this month
(Image: Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)

Jake Paul's immediate reaction to Mike Tyson pulling out of boxing fight

by · Manchester Evening News

Jake Paul has shared his heartache over the postponement of his bout with Mike Tyson. The anticipated face-off between YouTuber Jake Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson, originally set for July, had to be pushed back when Tyson experienced an unexpected health issue.

The former heavyweight champion became unwell during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles, leading to a hospitalisation where doctors uncovered a significant, bleeding two-and-a-half inch ulcer. The incident led Tyson to reschedule the eagerly awaited match to November 15, upon medical advice to cease training temporarily.

However, the pair have since confirmed a new date for their clash, which is now imminently due to take place in Texas with a potential audience of 80,000 fans. Despite his impressive track record of 10 victories in 11 professional fights, Paul conveyed profound disappointment at the initial delay.

Reflecting on the moment he learned of the postponement, Paul said in a Netflix documentary: "When I received the news that he was out and not able to fight, I was just numb, I was just like, 'f***...'," adding, "I'm the type of person who likes a schedule and likes to know what I'm doing. This just threw a wrench in all of that, there was nothing I could do, it was out of my control.", reports the Mirror.

Nevertheless, Paul expressed a readiness to jump at the chance to square off against Tyson, whom he views as a formidable opponent: "Nobody can tell Mike Tyson what to do and if he wants to fight me, of course I'm going to say yes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to fight one of the two most famous boxers to ever live; Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. I look at Mike Tyson as a killer so I never really expected something like this."

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Paul proceeded to face off with bare-knuckle boxer and former UFC star Mike Perry on the originally scheduled date for his battle with Tyson, besting his adversary in the sixth round. He then shared: "At the end of the day the Mike Tyson fight is great but I have a goal to become world champion and I'm not slowing that down for anyone."

Tyson's last appearance in the ring was a draw with boxing icon Roy Jones Jr four years earlier in an exhibition match, where he largely held sway. Paul was also on the fight card that night, delivering a knock-out punch to NBA athlete Nate Robinson in the second round.

The upcoming fight between Tyson and Paul will be officially recorded and will consist of two eight-minute rounds with 14oz padded gloves. It marks Tyson's first professional fight since retiring mid-match after five rounds against Kevin McBride nearly two decades ago.