Mike Tyson insists he’s ‘never going to get what I want’, with the boxing icon making clear his passion for the sport ahead of his fight with Jake Paul later in the year.
Iron Mike was formidable during his prime years and is widely regarded as one of the best heavyweights of all time.
He will be returning to the ring in November, four years on from his last bout with Roy Jones Jr.
Many have scrutinised Tyson’s decision to fight Paul who, at the age of 27, is 31 years younger.
Mike Tyson insists he’s ‘never going to get what I want’, with the boxing icon making clear his passion for the sport ahead of his fight with Jake Paul later in the year
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But Tyson, speaking to Esquire, insists he’s as passionate as ever about boxing and eager to reign supreme.
“Can I be honest? I don’t think he can hurt me,” he said.
“[And] I’m a glory junkie. I love people thinking about me all day. I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.
“This is all I started fighting for: to get all this f***ing status. I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life, I know that.
“I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”
Tyson’s fight with Paul could yet fail to take place.
It has already been delayed once due to the boxing legend suffering an ulcer flare up. Fortunately, he’s made a speedy recovery.
But if Paul crashes to defeat against Mike Perry this weekend, it would leave plans for a clash with Tyson in tatters.
The American has strongly defended himself, insisting critics are wrong to condemn him for fighting a man who is old enough to be his father.
“I view it as, say it to Mike Tyson’s face and see what he does to you,” he told The Pat McAffee Show.
“The one reporter who was discrediting him, he was about to jump over the press conference table and beat the dude’s ass.
“We aren’t Mike Tyson’s dad. We don’t control Mike Tyson. He’s his own boss.
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Mike Tyson is considered one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time
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“If he wants to go in there and make tens of millions of dollars, and potentially end my run, then who are we to stop him?
“This guy has been doing this his whole entire life. He’s a natural-born killer, and this is what he loves, and maybe this is what he needs.
“So, yeah, the age is a thing, but I believe it’s the equaliser because he has more experience, but I have the youth, and the speed, maybe, to be able to put him down.”
He continued: “A lot of people think I’m crazy for pivoting to this; why Mike Perry, why now, why take the risk, you could lose the biggest payday of your life against Mike Tyson if you lose to Mike Perry who is a violent killer, a bare-knuckle, undefeated legend over there.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight on November 15
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“He takes punches like they’re nothing, he’s fast, he’s athletic, he hits hard, he’s a brawler, and I can’t take that lightly.
“I need the experience, I need to stay active.
“I fear no man, I’m ready anytime, any place, anyone, and I truly back that up with my action.
“It’s not something I just say walking around. I’m just down to f**king fight and I love performing.”