Mike Tyson's upcoming boxing showdown with Jake Paul has had as many twists and turns as a bout in the ring.
On May 31, the match between 27-year-old Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer, and Tyson, the legendary heavyweight who turns 58 on June 30, was postponed from July 20 to November 15 after Tyson experienced an "ulcer flare-up" on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles.
The health scare caused medical professionals to say Tyson could not fully train, leading to the postponement of the fight.
However, Tyson showed that the fighting spirit that made him a star in the 1980s remains, as he issued a statement on the highly anticipated event, which is set to be livestreamed by Netflix from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out," Tyson said in his statement.
The statement is in keeping with all of the trash-talking Tyson and Jake Paul have previously exchanged. Newsweek has rounded up the boxers' statements about the fight as fans count down the months and weeks until the bout.
Fighting Talk
As previously mentioned, Tyson, a former heavyweight champ, expressed his certainty in beating Paul, and even did so in the immediate aftermath of his ulcer flare-up.
In a statement shared by Netflix, Tyson said: "I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time. Unfortunately, due to my ulcer flare-up, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover. My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon."
Taking aim at his opponent, Tyson added: "Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good. I appreciate everyone's patience and can't wait to deliver an unforgettable performance later this year."
On X, formerly Twitter, Tyson wrote: "Now feeling 100% even though I don't need to be to beat Jake Paul."
On June 8, in a video he posted on the platform to announce the match's new date, Tyson said: "Different date, same fate. I'ma knock out Jake Paul."
Hitting Back
Jake Paul showed he's also no slouch in the tough-talking department when he shared a statement of his own with Netflix about the fight's delay.
"I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night," he said. "My fans know I don't want to face Iron Mike at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake—when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish. Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup."
Sharing promotional imagery for the upcoming fight over the weekend, Jake Paul wrote on X: "Mike Tyson saying he's going to put me in the dirt...we will see Mike. We will see."
Such talk appears to run in the family. In 2021, his older brother, Logan Paul, also a YouTuber turned boxer, was mocked for saying he'd beat Tyson in a matchup.
Still, Jake Paul has had a string of victories since losing his first professional boxing match in February 2023, when he fought Tommy Fury. On August 5, he beat former UFC fighter Nate Diaz by unanimous decision. He then knocked out Andre August on December 15, 2023, and Ryan Bourland on March 2.
Lie Detector Test
Despite Jake Paul's confident declarations, a lie detector test proved to be his most damaging of opponents, as seen in a video posted on his YouTube channel on June 12.
In the clip, Logan Paul asked his brother, "Do you believe you'll actually beat Mike Tyson?"
"Yeah, I'm not hooked up to the lie detector," Jake Paul responded.
After he was hooked up to the machine, Logan Paul asked if he believed the age difference between him and Tyson would affect the fight.
"No," Jake Paul responded. "I think Mike is a killer at any age."
After the lie detector determined that his response was truthful, Logan Paul repeated his initial question: "Do you really think you're going to beat Mike Tyson?"
After pausing and taking a breath, Jake Paul responded, "Yeah," which the machine determined was a lie.
On X, Jake Paul shared a link to the video and wrote: "Lie detector says I don't think I beat Mike Tyson? Come on now."
Whatever the truth, the video seemed to amuse Tyson, who was the undisputed heavyweight champion between 1987 and 1990. He shared a clip of the video in an Instagram story with a series of laughing emoji.
It's All Love
While Jake Paul has expressed his certainty of a win, he's also shown respect.
Following Tyson's health scare last month, Jake Paul said in a video posted on X that while he was disappointed about the delay, his opponent's health mattered a great deal.
"I'm heartbroken, speechless, gutted," he said of the original date being called off. "We've been working so hard over here, everyone in this camp. I just feel bad for everyone involved in this event—the whole undercard. This opportunity has been ripped from all of us."
"But I do value Mike's health, first and foremost," he continued. "Love that guy. I have so much respect for him, and I want Mike to be healthy.
"He says he still is going to knock me out and I bought myself some time. So Mike is still talking s*** over there."
He added: "You just need a little bit of time. So I'm ready whenever you are. This is too big of an opportunity. I think this fight is going to change the world. And I turn all my Ls into Ws. That's a motto I live by, and the universe makes no mistakes. So let's see what's in store."
The Real Deal
While the hype and tough talk could easily raise eyebrows among the cynics, Tyson wants everyone to know that the bout is real.
Sharing photos on X of his promotional news conference with Jake Paul in New York last month, Tyson said: "This fight isn't scripted as some haters in boxing community want you to believe. This is a sanctioned fight and I'm knocking Jake out."
