Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have vastly differing views on Mike Tyson’s return fight with Jake Paul.
Tyson will return at the age of 58, far from his frightening heavyweight prime, when he takes on YouTube star Paul in a fully licensed professional bout next weekend.
The heavyweight legend carried ferocious power in his prime knocking out the likes of Larry Holmes and Frank Bruno, while carrying a devastating 88 per cent KO ratio during his time as a professional.
He still possesses an element of that power, but his rival Paul is 27 years old and in his best physical condition, albeit having only had 11 professional fights.
It has been tough to separate for the boxing world, but British heavyweights Joshua and Fury have attempted to do so.
AJ first predicted that it would be Paul who would have his hand raised, with the simple factor of age being the determining factor.
He said on the Jonathan Ross Show: “He [Mike Tyson] is older now.
“I pray that he comes out healthy. I think Jake Paul [wins] because of youth – that’s the only thing.”
It is understandable Joshua’s health concerns, given ‘Iron Mike’ has suffered with numerous health conditions.
Tyson has sciatica and was even forced to withdraw from their originally planned date in July, after suffering with a flare up of a stomach ulcer.
But it is not the opinion shared by Joshua’s bitter rival Fury, who has been a long-term friend of the heavyweight veteran.
And he believes that irrespective of his age, Tyson’s frightening KO power will have the same effect on a fighter with Paul’s limited experience.
“If Mike Tyson hits anybody, I don’t care if he’s 90, he’s going to knock them out cold isn’t he?” he told the MMA Hour.
“He’s Iron Mike Tyson, the baddest man on the planet.
“Jake Paul is very experienced now and he’s had a lot of fights but obviously, I have to back Mike Tyson for the knockout as he always backs me.”
Fury clearly stills believes Tyson has the armoury to do damage, a view which the legend himself shares.
The 58-year-old still carries some thunderous punching power, which he has attempted to show in regular clips of training footage.
He has been endorsed by a number of coaches to compete, and has even knocked down a sparring partner along the way.
Paul has even admitted he is ‘scared’ by the prospect of facing his formidable heavy hands, but still fancies himself to get the job done.
The pair will meet across eight two-minute rounds, a format which may benefit Tyson overall.
Tyson and Paul will tastes each other’s power in 14oz gloves, in a huge event that will be watched by 80,000 at the At&T Stadium in Texas.
It is no wonder Tyson has accepted the offer to participate in the event, with the pair also expected to pocket a purse in excess of $20 million.
And despite Joshua’s concerns, the former undisputed champion insists he is ready to take the risk.
“I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis,’’ Tyson said. That’s bulls*** for me. I’m a man.
I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk. Sometimes I want to see who I really am.
“I want to see what I’m really made out of. I want to perform in front of the world.
“To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14. This fight is not going to change my life financially enough.
“This is just what I want to do.’’
