Mike Tyson has been warned his upcoming fight against Jake Paul could be ‘catastrophic’ from a medical perspective.
Iron Mike is currently preparing to return to the ring after a four-year absence, having last battled Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout back in 2020.
Tyson and Paul had been due to lock horns last month, only for an ulcer flare up to delay the boxing icon’s return to the ring.
Given Tyson is 58, there are concerns over how his fight with Paul will pan out. His rival is younger and more athletic, with Paul also showing his quality during his recent victory over Mike Perry.
Mike Tyson has been warned his upcoming boxing fight against Jake Paul could be ‘catastrophic’ from a medical perspective
Renowned fitness expert Dave Hanock, speaking to Coin Poker, believes Tyson is returning to action purely for financial reasons.
But he’s also warned that the American’s return could be ‘catastrophic’ from a medical perspective.
“Looking from the outside, Mike Tyson’s comeback is purely money driven,” he said.
“If someone’s gonna offer you X to do Y, you can make a decision whether to do that or not at any age – so therefore your incentive is cash.
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“Therefore you will be prepared to put your body on the line in those circumstances in that sport, because you know the reward is the cash.
“But physically, as a medical person, I think it could be catastrophic. Especially at that age, because reflexes are reduced, his reaction time’s reduced, he’s not as fit as he used to be.
“There might be cardiothoracic issues, pulmonary issues, all sorts of issues that you’ve inherited as you’ve got older, lifestyle issues, you’re not living the same as what you were doing when you were training.
“But at the end of the day, money talks, going back to the same scenarios about footballers going on end of season trips and pre-season trips, it’s because there are huge amounts of money involved.
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“It’s no different for an individual athlete that could get a payday for a one-off bout with a YouTuber.
“If anyone is offered £10 million to do something you’re going to have a really serious think about whether you would do it or not.
“Probably 99 per cent of the population, if they had the talent, would say yeah, it’s too hard to say no.
“If you’re not in a financial situation that you were in when you were an athlete, for instance Mike Tyson and his bankruptcy in the past, then that’s obviously got to be playing on his mind that he could make some serious cash.
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul had originally been scheduled to fight on July 20
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“Then that might lead to something else and something else. Therefore, all of a sudden, he could be doing something in his 50s and be earning more money than he was in his 20s.”
It’s currently unclear how much Tyson will make when he goes up against Paul.
Rumours suggest he’ll pocket a staggering $20million, though these are yet to be confirmed.
Evander Holyfield, meanwhile, believes Paul can’t afford to give Tyson space when they battle – while also comparing the 58-year-old to a ‘snake’.
Mike Tyson will be hoping to wind back the years when he faces Jake Paul
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“I don’t know how much confidence that Jake Paul has and all of that, but he’s gonna be a lot quicker,” he told FightHub TV. “If he stays close to Mike then his chance of winning is gonna be great, but if he tries to stay back from Mike he’s gonna get caught.
“Mike is like a snake. He’ll pop out on ya. He gets there too quick.
“But if you charge him, you’re gonna smother him. He pushes off his legs so he’s too close, but if you give him room everybody gets knocked out going backwards.
“Give him room you’re gonna be messed up.”
Source Agencies
