UFC boss Dana White spoke to Mike Tyson’s wife to ensure the former world heavyweight champion is properly preparing to fight YouTuber Jake Paul. Paul and Tyson are set to meet in a blockbuster exhibition bout this summer, fighting before 80,000 fans at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
For some time, Paul has suggested a clash with Tyson could be on the cards in the future. The anticipated clash is expected to generate immense revenue, with the showdown set to be aired on streaming service Netflix.
Earlier this month, Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced the July 20 contest. Paul, who recently defeated Ryan Bourland with a dominant KO, has already fought a whole host of big names including UFC stars Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Ben Askren.
The YouTuber’s only loss came against Tommy Fury, losing on points to the young Brit. But Paul is now set to fight boxing legend Tyson, who will be 58 when he steps foot in the ring with a man 30 years his junior. Given the age gap, White is pleased to hear Tyson is taking the fight seriously after a conversation with his wife, Lakiha Spicer.
Speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast, White said: “I love Mike Tyson and I’m not a fan of anybody fighting at our age, but he’s a grown man obviously and he’s going to do what he’s going to do. I talked to his wife a couple of days ago and he’s taking it serious and he’s training for it.
“I think Mike Tyson is one of the most unique guys who have crossed over, any of the other fighters from his generation have no way of making money without fighting and Mike Tyson has made a lot of money outside of fighting. Tyson still has that aura that you could be in a restaurant, you’d be like ‘Holy f***, Mike Tyson is here.’
“He still has that aura and energy in a room, he makes lots of money outside of the ring but I think he ends up getting these offers that he can’t refuse.”
Paul has a professional record of 9-1 and his third fight took place on the undercard of Tyson’s last outing, an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. Tyson had not fought since 2005 before that contest, walking away from the sport 19 years ago.
Paul has been criticized for failing to get in the ring with natural boxers and has built up his record by knocking out unknown fighters Andre August and Bourland in his last two fights. As he prepares for a different beast in the form of Tyson, White mocked Paul for his choice of opponents.
“Jake Paul did fight a kid his age and he lost,” White told Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. “I just saw this thing on the internet yesterday and I reposted it where it says if he beats Mike Tyson he’s going to fight with Clint Eastwood next, Clint Eastwood is 93 years old.”
Paul, who boasts six KOs across his nine wins, will face Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) on 20th July at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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