Jake Paul has said he felt “numb” when Mike Tyson withdrew from their fight earlier this year, before the bout was rearranged.
YouTube star Paul has gone 10-1 as a professional boxer in recent years, and his next challenge comes against Tyson, who is deemed one of the greatest heavyweight champions in the sport’s history.
Paul, 27, and Tyson were due to fight each other in July, but the 58-year-old withdrew after suffering a health scare in May. “Iron Mike” had experienced an ulcer flare-up while on a flight, and the fight was postponed until 15 November.
As the bout looms, Netflix has produced a documentary around the controversial contest, which the streaming platform will air live next week.
“When I received the news that he was out and not able to fight, I was just numb,” Paul said in the documentary.
“I was just like, ‘f***...’ I'm the type of person who likes a schedule and likes to know what I’m doing. This just threw a wrench in all of that. There was nothing I could do, it was out of my control.
“Nobody can tell Mike Tyson what to do, and if he wants to fight me, of course I’m going to say yes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to fight one of the two most famous boxers to ever live – Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
“I look at Mike Tyson as a killer, so I never really expected something like this.”
Tyson last fought professionally in 2005, though he boxed Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout as recently as 2020.
His clash with Paul will be an officially-sanctioned pro fight, scheduled for eight two-minute rounds, and knockouts will be allowed. The contest will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
When Tyson withdrew from the July fight date, Paul went on to face Mike Perry – a bare-knuckle boxer and former UFC fighter. Paul won via sixth-round knockout.
Many of Paul’s fights have come against former UFC fighters, including Perry, Nate Diaz, Ben Askren, and ex-champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley. He beat Diaz and Silva on points, knocked out Askren, and defeated Woodley twice – via decision then via KO.
Paul’s sole loss came against Tommy Fury – half-brother of heavyweight Tyson Fury – in early 2023. Tommy, an influencer and boxer, won by decision.
Paul does hold two wins over pro boxers, though they are lesser-known fighters: Ryan Bourland and Andre August, both of whom Paul knocked out in the last 12 months.
