Mike Tyson says his comeback at 57 was “a no-brainer” – Firstpost

Former heavyweight king Mike Tyson said Monday his decision to return to the ring at the age of 57 was a “no-brainer,” brushing aside recent criticism that he was too old to make a comeback.

At a press conference in New York to promote his upcoming fight against YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, Tyson admitted that training for his comeback had taken its toll.

“I’m doing great but my body is in shit right now, I’m sore, I’m really sore,” said Tyson, who will face Paul on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home to the Dallas team. Cowboys NFL team.

But the boxer who terrorized the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s by calling himself “the baddest man on the planet” insisted he had no reservations about lace up his gloves again, almost two decades after his last professional fight in 2005.

“It was a no-brainer,” Tyson said. “He’s a promising new guy on the scene. And I love shaking up the sports world and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.

Tyson, who turns 58 in June, faces Paul, 27, in a professional fight comprising eight two-minute rounds that was sanctioned by Texas boxing authorities.

However, several members of the boxing community, including former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, have expressed reservations about the fight, expressing concern that Tyson could be injured.

Tyson, however, dismissed the skeptics when asked for his response on Monday.

“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson said. “The people who said that wish they were here. No one else can do this.

Paul meanwhile said he was ready to deal with Tyson’s experience and power.

“A lot of people doubt me,” Paul said. “I see the comments saying, ‘If Jake wins this fight, it’s rigged’ because of how amazing he looks. Age does not matter.

“He’s a killer. He’s a warrior. He’s been doing this his whole life, so it’s second nature to him. I’ve only been doing this for four years and at a very high level.

“On July 20, I’m going to show the world that I can take out Mike Tyson and prove everyone wrong, and show that I’m going to be the one to do the killing.”

Tyson, meanwhile, said he had no animosity towards his much younger opponent.

“I really like Jake. But once he gets in the ring, he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will,” Tyson joked.

The former heavyweight icon even refused to rule out more fights in the future.

“Maybe we’ll do it again,” Tyson said. “But can I take care of Jake first, please?”