Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will share the ring on Friday night, and the former’s girlfriend isn’t too thrilled about it.
The social media superstar stunned the world when it was announced he would face the former heavyweight champion in an officially sanctioned professional fight to be shown live on Netflix.
It was due to happen in July but an ulcer flare-up for Tyson meant it was postponed by four months and on Friday night up to 80,000 spectators are expected to fill AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to watch the bout unfold.
With a 31-year age gap between the two fighters, concerns have been raised that 58-year-old Tyson could face a damaging defeat.
After all, Paul has a professional record of 10-1, claiming seven of those victories via knockout or TKO.
He is arguably the biggest name on the influencer boxing scene, and his only career defeat to date came against Tommy Fury in February 2023.
But Tyson, with an incredible record of 50-6, has already shown in training footage that he still possesses ferocious power.
And that is something that worries Paul’s girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam.
Speaking on the BS w/ Jake Paul podcast back in March, the Dutch speed skater shared her honest thoughts on the upcoming bout.
“He’s the competitor that is the most scary to me,” Leerdam said of Tyson.
“He’s just scary, he’s super strong and I’ve seen videos of him. Of course, he’s a little bit older now.
“But if you’ve ever been able to do that, your body remembers it. He has that power forever.”
Leerdam, who clarified that she still thinks her boyfriend will win, also questioned if Paul’s relative inexperience would be a factor.
“One thing about Jake is that he has been doing this for like five years.
“I think that is worse than being almost 60… and having that power your whole life. You’ve trained so much, your body will remember that.
“Jake didn’t even train five years ago… he was partying.
“(Tyson) is 58 but he’s strong, his body just remembers how to fight.”
Leerdam isn’t the only person close to Paul who appears to have worries over the bout.
The 27-year-old has already opened up about his mother, Pam Stepnick, and her fears.
“She will be there but my mom is very scared actually,” Paul said.
“Like, she keeps on asking me if I’m ready, asking my team if I’m ready. She’s not liking this one, to be honest.
“He (Tyson) just looks scary and big, and his Instagram videos on the mitts look crazy and everything, so I get it.”
