Hyperlinks - Link Lines Block
With security and fight teams ensuring no funny business, Mike Tyson playfully jabbed Jake Paul in the stomach at their pre-fight press conference in New York, possibly the least controversial presser of Tyson’s career.
“Iron” Mike won’t be joking around when they step into the ring on July 20. AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, will be the place to be, while Netflix will have the honor of hosting what could be the biggest streaming event in company history.
It was a unique atmosphere at the Apollo Theater as Paul and Tyson went back and forth. It's Tyson’s first pro fight since 2005 when he lost against Kevin McBride. He did fight Roy Jones Jr. to a draw in a 2020 exhibition. This time, the contest against Paul, a YouTuber with a 9-1 boxing record, will go toward his pro record.
The animal hasn’t been brought out of Tyson in a while, but it seems Paul has made it escape its cage.
MORE: Who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
“I like Jake a lot, but once we're in that ring, he'll have to fight like his life depends on it -- because it will be,” Tyson said.
Paul lost against Tommy Fury to open 2023, the first pro boxer he ever faced. "The Problem Child" won three straight after, with two fights against boxers with the same experience he has. There wasn’t much interest in fighting unknowns from his fans, so Paul stepped it up and booked what many have perceived as a circus show.
By the time the 27-year-old Paul faces Tyson, the latter will be 58. Tyson has said his body, while beautiful, does feel in rough shape. Still, Tyson is Tyson, and power is the last thing to go away. Paul understands this but feels he has enough in his arsenal to beat Tyson and even survive a potential onslaught.
"Everyone else is underestimating me,” Paul said. "I believe I hit harder. I know it’s going to be tough, I know I’m going to need to fight through adversity. I know I might even go to the canvas. I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not about the fear stopping me. It’s about going into it even though I am scared. That’s what true bravery is.
"They call him 'Iron' Mike Tyson but I'm 'Titanium' Jake Paul."
Over 120,000 signed up for the pre-sale for this fight. Part of the reason was Paul vs. Tyson. Another factor was the rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. The sequel to the 2022 Fight of the Year in Madison Square Garden, this time for undisputed super lightweight gold, helped balance the card, giving boxing fans a sense of class.
MORE: The case of two vs. three-minute rounds in women's boxing
Taylor, who successfully defended her status as the undisputed lightweight champion against Serrano in a back-and-forth first encounter, was starstruck with Tyson by her side. “The Bray Bomber” fought three times after the Serrano contest, going 2-1, sharing wins and losses against Chantelle Cameron for the 140-pound titles.
It was only the second weight class Taylor had conquered. Meanwhile, Serrano, the unified featherweight champion, has won gold in seven weight classes. How does Taylor feel about the new weight?
“Lots of women’s fighters go up and down the weights. I do feel very strong at this weight,” Taylor said. “The last time myself and Amanda fought, it was an epic fight, an iconic fight, in front of 20,000 people in Madison Square Garden. It felt like all of Puerto Rico and Ireland were there that night. Now we get to do it in front of 100,000 people.”
Serrano, rocking a Knicks jersey in New York, assured fight fans that her eyelid is OK after a mishap with her stylist nixed a fight in Puerto Rico against Nina Meinke. She has been chasing history since the Taylor fight, thanks in part to her business relationship with Paul. “The Real Deal” relinquished the WBC featherweight title due to the WBC’s stance against women’s boxing competing in twelve three-minute rounds, sending a message.
The 35-year-old has gone from super flyweight (115) to lightweight (135). The 126-pound champion needs to move up about 14 pounds for this fight. It’s a tough challenge for Serrano in its own right, but she is motivated.
MORE: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Rules and regulations
“Listen, everyone knows I'm the unified featherweight champion. I've said it many times, anything over that [weight], it's hard for me. Obviously [at] 135, I [didn’t get the win against Katie], but for the opportunity to fight Katie Taylor [again], I took the fight [at] 140. Her team said, ‘you’ve got to do it at 140.' I really want the fight. The fight is for the fans, so greatness requires sacrifice," Serrano said.
“So once again, I'm sacrificing my body. I'm sacrificing everything to go up three divisions. The last time was two divisions. I believe I won. I hurt Katie. I think going up another division, I can do the same thing. My power was going to come with me, and this is a great opportunity for both of us, and it is what it is. I just got to eat more. I’m a Latina, so I get to eat a lot more rice.”
Taylor and Serrano left room for a trilogy, which fight fans have salivated for since the first contest.
It felt like an average press conference. However, with the stakes of the two fights, fight night will be anything but. There's still another press event, and then we are just a few months away from one of the biggest events, despite its detractors, in boxing history.
