Boxing fans are divided over recent training snaps of Mike Tyson as he prepares for his eagerly awaited fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul later this year.
Originally, the duo were due to go head-to-head in July, but Tyson was forced to postpone his return because of an inflamed ulcer that put a stop to his training on medical grounds. However, Tyson is back in training and has pledged to be ready for their rescheduled showdown.
The much-anticipated bout is scheduled for Friday, November 15 at the ATandT Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where up to 90,000 spectators are expected. Tyson's last professional fight took place in 2005 against Kevin McBride, and he last featured in an exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
Paul, who is 27, recently claimed victory against ex-UFC fighter Mike Perry this past July.
Questions have been raised about Tyson's dedication to the fight following a surprising disclosure. In a recent chat with Jimmy Kimmel, Tyson revealed his intense training regime: "I am training extremely hard, I do six hours a day. I start at 11am and might leave the gym at 5pm," he stated.
Kimmel, taken by surprise, queried, "Oh no. 11am? So that's six hours straight, or is there a lunch break? " Tyson admitted there was indeed a short break, leaving Kimmel amazed as he exclaimed, "Oh no."
Anticipation reaches fever pitch for November's boxing showdown, with training snapshots sparking fierce debate amongst the fight fraternity. Fans are rallying behind the 58-year-old with one keen supporter declaring: "Jake Paul is getting smoked."
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Another avid fan expressed their enthusiasm: "Let's go, Mike! Bring back that prime Mike feeling where it's over in the first."
Meanwhile, a third observer humorously added: "Rip to Jake Paul."
and a fourth confidently asserted: "Jake will lose this fight for sure."
Tyson's loyal legion is abuzz at the prospect of witnessing the ex-heavyweight titlist's glory once more. Yet, Paul's advantage of youth has some quarters convinced that 'The Problem Child' is poised for a notable triumph.
Asserting Paul's edge, one proponent posted: "Jake Paul's gonna starch Tyson quick".
A pragmatic voice in the crowd weighed in with a vivid prognostication: "Mike Tyson is 58. We all know the monster he used to be but he's still human. I hate it just as much as you do but Jake Paul will probably knock him out in a round. Tbh I kinda hope it ends that way too that way Mike gets his $ and leaves w/o too much extra brain damage."
Echoing this sentiment, another said: "Jake Paul will knock out Mike Tyson. I think Paul is simply an average boxer, but an average boxer should always beat a great fighter 20 years past his prime."
While many fans are eagerly awaiting the match, a small faction is either indifferent or primarily concerned about Tyson's wellbeing. "I thought this was cancelled. Mike should NOT fight anymore. It's just dangerous," one social media user remarked.
Another spectator was swift to condemn the match, declaring: "Dumbest fight of the century."
A further comment read: "No one is excited for this anymore."
In anticipation of the bout, Netflix has revealed that a documentary series charting Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson will be accessible on the renowned streaming service. The initial two episodes are slated for streaming on November 7, with the finale being uploaded on November 12, three days before the scheduled ring showdown between the two pugilists.
