Jake Paul's coach makes big Mike Tyson admission ahead of Netflix bout
by Steve Wollaston, Matty Hewitt, https://www.facebook.com/stevewollastonjournalist/, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/matty-hewitt/ · Birmingham LiveJake Paul's upcoming fight with heavyweight legend Mike Tyson is the culmination of a plan that has been almost four years in the making. The internet sensation, who transformed his career from YouTube entertainer to professional boxer, is set to take on one of the biggest names in boxing history.
Paul, ever brimming with self-assurance as he approaches the clash, shared footage on Instagram capturing the moment the idea sparked - back when he chatted with his long-time coach and friend J'Leon Love. Even though Love, a former contender for the super middleweight world title, expressed doubts about Paul's chances, the matchup is scheduled for the 15th of November at Arlington, Texas' AT&T Stadium and will be streamed exclusively on Netflix.
The shared clip, dating from 2021 during preparations for his bout with MMA fighter Ben Askeren, shows Paul finding humor in the mere thought of a scrap with Tyson. What once seemed laughable is now a highly anticipated event.
In the video, we hear Paul pitch an outlandish notion: "I just came up with a crazy idea," he says. "Do you think I could beat Mike Tyson? " Love, trying to contain his laughter, gives Paul a direct reply: "F*** no."
Paul, probing further, asks: "Like not even a year from now? " But Love, drawing from his own boxing experience, dismisses the possibility, noting the sophistication of Tysons skills by remarking, "Mike Tyson just got s*** he know how to do bro that's just, like.."
Paul concedes that Tyson is "a dog" and muses, "I was just thinking, Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson? That would be hilarious."
The 27 year old social media personality, who lost to Tommy Fury in 2017, has since secured victories over several MMA fighters, both past and present, in his fledgling boxing career. Following the Fury defeat, he went on to beat Nate Diaz, Andre August, Ryan Bourland, and most recently, Mike Perry.
Paul has successfully taken on a number of experienced fighters, but Tyson presents an entirely different challenge awaits in Tyson, a prospect that has left his mother anxious about the bout.
Speaking to Bloody Elbow at a PFL media event earlier this year, Paul revealed: "She will be there but my mom is very scared actually. Like, she keeps on asking me if I'm ready, asking my team if I'm ready."
"She's not liking this one, to be honest. He just looks scary and big, and his Instagram videos on the mitts look crazy and everything, so I get it."