‘Iron Mike’ is scheduled to make a sensational return to the ring next month, with his last professional outing taking place nearly two decades ago
’Iron Mike’ is scheduled to make a sensational return to the ring next month, with his last professional outing taking place nearly two decades ago ‘Iron Mike’ is scheduled to make a sensational return to the ring next month, with his last professional outing taking place nearly two decades ago
Mike Tyson has issued a blunt response after Eddie Hearn recently claimed he will walk out of the arena before the heavyweight legend fights Jake Paul.
Earlier this month, boxing promoter Hearn doubled down on criticism regarding the upcoming clash between Tyson and Paul, claiming it’s “dangerous, irresponsible and disrespectful to boxing“. Hearn will attend the event at the AT&T Stadium to support Taylor in her mouthwatering rematch with rival Serrano, but claims he will leave before the main event.
“We received a massive offer for Katie. I’m not going to tell her she’s not allowed to fight on that card,” he told BBC Sport. “Financially it’s the biggest purse of her career. I won’t be watching the main event. We’ll be there defending the belts, and then I’ll be off”.
Speaking about the main event, Hearn said: “The reality is that 20 years ago when Mike Tyson retired from the sport he was shot, completely finished. It was actually sad to watch then, 20 years ago. I’m in awe of him – he’s one of my favourite ever fighters, one of the greatest of all time – but he’s a 58-year-old man. You only need to speak to him and look at him to know this guy should not be in a ring again”.
Despite Hearn’s slight praise towards Tyson, after the cancellation of the first meeting, the boxing promoter believed that was the moment the fight was maybe not a smart idea and that they shouldn’t have pursued with another date. In a video call with reporters ahead of the bout, ‘Iron Mike’ was asked for his thoughts on Hearn’s comments, replying: “Well, that’s Eddie’s opinion, and that’s all I can say”.
The 58-year-old was quick to then shift his attention to the fight and has shared his views on the upcoming heavyweight showdown in Texas. “I’m doing well. I’m just looking forward to the fight. Really looking forward to it”, he continued. “When you think about it, regardless of me being how old I am, this guy only has 10 fights. If I see this fight 10% of what I was, he only has 10 fights. He couldn’t match that. And that’s being sincere. If I’m 10%, he can’t match it.”
While ‘Iron Mike’ is set to pocket a bumper payday next month, the boxing veteran claims that the fight purse was not the motivation for taking the fight. “This money from this fight is not going to change my lifestyle any,” he said. “You know, I could use a buck like everyone else, but this is not for financial reasons. My life is not going to change, not one percentage after this fight. We will always be able to live this way. And I’m just doing it because I want to test myself.”
The controversial boxing showdown between the two stars is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 15 in Arlington, Texas at the AT&T Stadium in front of up to 90,000 fans. Tyson hasn’t fought a professional contest since losing to Kevin McBride back in 2005. That said, he did step foot in the ring four years ago and took on Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition showdown.
Mirror – Sport
