‘Iron Mike’ – who hasn’t fought a professional contest in nearly two decades – is scheduled to face the young American next month in Arlington, Texas
’Iron Mike’ – who hasn’t fought a professional contest in nearly two decades – is scheduled to face the young American next month in Arlington, Texas ‘Iron Mike’ – who hasn’t fought a professional contest in nearly two decades – is scheduled to face the young American next month in Arlington, Texas
Former lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla believes Mike Tyson knocking out Jake Paul would “make a lot of people in boxing happy.”
Both Paul and Tyson are currently in the final stages of their respective training camps ahead of next month’s clash. The showdown between the two boxing stars is scheduled to take place on November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas with the heavyweight fight being recognised as a professional contest.
Paul has faced a lot of criticism since the confirmation of the heavyweight dust-up, particularly after his 58-year-old opponent was forced to pull out of the original contest earlier this year after suffering an ulcer flare up. Tyson’s last professional contest came back in 2005 when he suffered a defeat to Kevin McBride.
As for ‘The Problem Child’, the 27-year-old has been competing often since making his debut back in 2020. He has already defeated the likes of Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz. His only defeat in the sport came on points against Tommy Fury last year. He comes into the clash with ‘Iron Mike’ off the back of a brutal knockout win over former UFC welterweight contender Mike Perry earlier this year.
Speaking to Freebets.com, Crolla has shared his views on the upcoming heavyweight fight. While the 37-year-old has praised Paul, he has also criticised the idea of the bout, highlighting the huge age gap between the pair. That said, the former boxing world champion believes ‘Iron Mike’ will make a lot of people in the sport happy if he can go in there and get the job done.
“I think it’s a bit dangerous, we don’t know what kind of place Mike Tyson will be in.” he said. “He looked great in the exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. But Jake Paul could never lace Mike’s gloves when anywhere near his best.
“He shouldn’t be anywhere near him (Tyson). One thing about Jake Paul is he does train like a boxer. He puts the effort in and there’s no denying the improvements. But I think it’s so hard to predict, because I don’t know what Mike Tyson has left. He could go in there and blow him away in a round or so. Jake Paul has improved, Mike Tyson’s age – it’s a mad one. It’s hard to even make sense of it, Mike’s approaching 60! It’s going to be either horrendous viewing or Mike Tyson would walk through him, and I’d think he’d make a lot of people in boxing happy.”
While Paul is taking the fight very seriously, Crolla has sensationally admitted that ‘The Problem Child’ won’t even mind getting knocked out by the boxing icon. He added: “Yep, he probably wouldn’t mind becoming a GIF or reel. The fight against Tommy I was more impressed with Jake than Tommy that day, even though I do believe Tommy just nicked it. But Jake is trying his best, having proper training camps.”
With the clash with Tyson just under a month away, Paul has watched hours of tape to study the veteran’s previous fights and believes he will try “to trap me on the ropes and then get blows off to angles on each side.” When asked what his tactics will be, Paul replied: “To just box on the outside and then use my footwork to be more agile and get him chasing me and then attack him when he’s out of position. That should frustrate him.”
Mirror – Sport
