Mike Tyson has sparked huge concern among boxing fans ahead of his controversial fight against Jake Paul.
Tyson returns to action when he faces Paul at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15.
Paul vs. Tyson has been sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations and will mark the 58-year-old’s first professional bout since 2005.
Even though it’s a pro fight, the heavyweight showdown will be contested over eight two-minute rounds.
And ahead of stepping foot inside the ring, Tyson has stated he’d rather ‘die in the ring’ rather in hospital.
During a promotional video for the fight, he shockingly said: “If I win, I’ll be immortal. If I do it bad, I don’t want to die in a hospital bedroom, I want to die in the ring.”
Needless to say, Tyson’s comment caught the attention of fans on social media as they expressed their concerns, with one writing that the former world heavyweight champion will be in trouble if he makes it out of the first two rounds while another added that the event is ‘sad for boxing’.
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face off ahead of their fight. Image: Getty
Muhammad Ali’s former manager Gene Kilroy, however, was stunned by Tyson’s remarkable physique, having visited his training camp for his ring return.
“This is the strongest I’ve ever seen you, the strongest I’ve ever seen you and I’ve known you since you were 13 years old.” Kilroy told him.
“I think this is so (amazing), this impressed the sh*t out of me. Nothing impresses me. You know what, I’m gonna tell you the truth, I don’t lie. I was worried about him traveling here, traveling there, I can sleep now at night. This is great.
“I’m proud of you, Mike. I’m proud of you, it’s a new generation,” Kilroy added, before asking Tyson: “You done more workouts than what I’ve seen you do the whole time you fought Lenox Lewis, am I right or wrong?”
‘Iron’ Mike replied: “Different era brother. It’s a whole new ball game.”
Paul, 27, has picked up two wins this year, beating Ryan Bourland and Mike Perry.
While Tyson hasn’t competed professionally since his shock defeat to Kevin McBride almost 20 years ago, he did face fellow boxing icon Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition back in November 2020.