Mike Tyson admits his body feels “sick” and “painful” as he prepares to return to the ring – but the 57-year-old has opened the door to more comeback fights after facing Jake Paul.
The former undisputed world heavyweight champion faces the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a controversial fight on Netflix on July 20.
The two fighters came face to face for the first time on Monday in New York for a press conference which quickly turned into a circus.
Tyson has been warned against returning to the ring, almost two decades after his last professional fight. The 57-year-old regularly posts videos from his training camp.
He says he was preparing to listen to a soundtrack of funeral songs and made no effort to hide the camp’s toll.
Mike Tyson said his body felt “***” as he got into shape to fight for Jake Paul on July 20.
Tyson and Paul held press conference in New York ahead of Dallas fight in two months
“My body is shit right now. I’m in pain,” Tyson said. When it was suggested that the former heavyweight champion was playing the possum, he replied: “I wish.”
Tyson was asked to send a message to those who are warning him against returning to the ring, including Deontay Wilder.
“I think the people who say that wish they were here. Because no one else can do this,” he said.
“No one else can shut down the sports world.”
Asked by Mail Sport if this return would be a one-off or the first of several comeback fights, Tyson said: ‘I have a feeling it’s going to be quite fun so maybe we’ll do it again… let I’ll take care of Jake first.’
There were few fireworks between Tyson and Paul, whose faceoff included a handshake, a laugh and a few playful pokes to the kidney.
“We are friends, there is no doubt about it. But in the ring, we won’t be friends,” Tyson added.
“I really love Jake but he’s going to have to fight like his life is on the line because it is.”
Katie Taylor will face Amanda Serrano on the card at AT&T Stadium, while Tyson-Paul has been officially sanctioned as a professional fight.
It will take place over two rounds, instead of the traditional three, with Tyson saying: “I wanted shorter rounds because I wanted more action.”
dailymail us
