Roy Jones Jr. was the latest person to face Mike Tyson and gave some insight into the former heavyweight champion ahead of his fight with Jake Paul over the summer.
Jones and Tyson were among the best of their respective eras. But the two were unable to fight until their exhibition fight in November 2020. Paul was also on that card, knocking out former NBA player Nate Robinson.
Five years later, Tyson will face Paul at AT&T Stadium on July 20 in Arlington, Texas. Jones recalled being punched in the stomach by Tyson and made it clear that the former champion still packs a punch.
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Roy Jones Jr., left, and Mike Tyson celebrate their split draw at Staples Center on Nov. 28, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller)
“The first time it hit me in the chest, it felt like a mule kicked my chest,” Jones said. Shane Mosley on his YouTube show. “If he hits someone with a shot like that, he either goes out or goes down, especially guys who aren’t used to taking hits like that. With these types of people like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, these guys are bigger and can take it .
“But Jake Paul, I don’t think I can take that. I could hit him on the chin like that, we’ll see, but it’ll be tough.”
Despite multiple social media posts showing his training sessions, Tyson told Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity earlier this month that he was “scared to death” ahead of his fight against Paul.
MIKE TYSON FIRES A WARNING SHOT AT JAKE PAUL IN THE LAST SPARRING SESSION MONTHS BEFORE THE FIGHT
Mike Tyson attends the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I have a weird personality. I don’t think I’m weird though. Anything I’m afraid to do, I do it. That’s just the way it is,” Tyson said. “I was afraid of [Roy Jones Jr. fight in 2020].
“I was 100 pounds overweight, but I was older (54, 53) and I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Anything I’m afraid of, I face it. That’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.”
But that’s what pushes Tyson to get back in the ring.
“I always believed that adversity and nervousness catapulted me to success,” Tyson said. “If I didn’t have these feelings, I wouldn’t go to this fight. I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never get in the ring.”
However, when “reality” hits, Tyson will get to work and the butterflies will float away.
Mike Tyson at the Billboard Music Awards at The Mayan in Los Angeles. (Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images)
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“As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I get, because it’s reality. And, actually, I’m invincible,” Tyson said.
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