Jake Paul has adjusted his fight weight following Mike Tyson's withdrawal from their initial bout earlier this year.
The pair were set to face off in July, but "Iron Mike" had to withdraw due to an ulcer flare-up. The boxing legend was advised by his doctor to halt training, but he's back in the gym and assures he'll be ready to take on the 27-year-old next month.
In a recent chat with Mail Online , Tyson confirmed he is now "ulcer-free", attributing his past health issues to his diet. "I was doing too much bad food and stuff, and I got sick,'' he confessed. Tyson now says he's steering clear of "processed foods" and is "eating clean" for his upcoming match with the young American.
Their long-awaited showdown will finally happen on November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas, with up to 90,000 fans expected. The match will be considered a professional event in the heavyweight division.
Tyson hasn't participated in a professional fight in nearly two decades - his last was a fifth-round loss to Irishman Kevin McBride in 2005. However, the 58-year-old did compete in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr four years ago.
On the other hand, since his debut in 2020, Paul has claimed victories over Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. His only loss in boxing was a points defeat to Tommy Fury last year. Ahead of the initial date set earlier in the year, Paul was roaming the streets at a hefty 230 pounds, quite more than his usual combat shape.
On his podcast this past May, "The Problem Child" remarked: "Normally I'm fighting at 200 and walking around at 210. It's weird to me that I'm weighing 230."
He also teased about possibly bulking up to 240 pounds as part of his rigorous training regimen for the upcoming clash. Yet, as the fight approaches, the 27-year-old fighter has decided he wants to come in a bit lighter for next month's heavyweight showdown.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter , when quizzed about his current weight, Paul confessed he's tipping the scales at approximately 216 pounds and aims to reach 220 pounds on fight day. He equally acknowledged anticipating his opponent will carry more weight into the ring. "Tyson will probably be 235", he disclosed.
Such a weight differential hints that Tyson might be strategizing for a quick resolution. During his heyday in the ring, the seasoned boxer was renowned for rapidly dispatching opponents. Paul isn't taking any chances, understanding full well that despite the 58-year-old's age, his knockout punch could very much be intact.
He's been poring over footage of Tyson's past bouts, convinced that the strategy will be "to trap me on the ropes and then get blows off to angles on each side". Paul revealed his game plan, saying: "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."
Local News
