Mike Tyson believes Jake Paul will attempt to ‘run away’ from him when they finally fight on November 15.
Though the clash is embroiled in controversy due to the huge 31-year age gap between the two fighters, excitement for the showdown is starting to build.
It will be Tyson’s first fight in four years, with the 58-year-old previously drawing his exhibition clash with Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
As for Paul, the 27-year-old can’t be underestimated given how he managed to knock out Mike Perry during their bout in July.
Boxing news: Mike Tyson expects Jake Paul to ‘run away’ in their controversial clash next month
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Tyson, speaking at a news conference to promote his new energy pouches, is confident the bout won’t go the distance.
He feels he’s capable of knocking Paul out in round one.
Yet the boxing icon also expressed a belief that his younger opponent may choose to ‘run away’ from him to tire him out and enhance his own chances of securing victory.
“If I don’t have to catch him, you can expect a Round 1 knockout,” said the heavyweight icon, per ESPN.
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“But I may have to catch him because I anticipate this guy running from me.”
With the clash being sanctioned as a professional fight, rather than an exhibition, there’s plenty on the line.
Tyson hasn’t won a pro fight since 2003, when he overcame Clifford Etienne.
His career ended with consecutive losses top Danny Williams and Kevin McBride, with the veteran then choosing to walk away from the sport in 2005.
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Tyson reveals he was ‘too stressed out’ when he was boxing in his prime.
He says his mindset has now changed, insisting he has ‘better life skills now’ compared to two decades ago.
“When I was fighting professionally, I was too stressed out,” he continued.
“I never had a chance to relax or enjoy my championships because everything was coming at me.
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“There were lawsuits and divorces. I never enjoyed myself as a human being.
“This is a moment in time when I can enjoy myself as a human being. I have better life skills now than I did while fighting.”
Tyson, given his punching power and experience, can’t be underestimated as he prepares to battle Paul.
Yet former boxing star Butterbean, speaking recently, feels he’ll be exposed when he returns to the ring following his hiatus.
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He also took aim at Tyson’s physique, brutally saying the boxing icon ‘looked pregnant’ when he saw him three weeks ago.
“He’s a bully. His chin would be right there for the taking. I would knock Mike Tyson out,” he told AL.com.
“I saw Mike about three weeks ago, and he looked pregnant.
“I would knock him out. He has no chin. The problem with those who have lost to Tyson is they didn’t challenge him.”