Fans worried about Mike Tyson’s health heading into his highly publicized fight with Jake Paul won’t be any less concerned after a recent interview with USA Today.
Despite the numerous hype videos posted to social media showing Tyson looking to be in extraordinary shape as he trains for the bout, the man known as ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ sounds anything but.
In fact, he says, he’s having trouble getting around. Which sounds par for the course for people at the age of 58. But its particularly concerning when you’re about to step into the ring with a 27-year-old up-and-coming fighter like Paul.
Tyson tells the outlet that things are “a little shaky now.”
“It’s hard to walk right now,’’ he said. “But two months from now I’m going to be perfect.’’
RELATED: Hulk Hogan Worried Jake Paul Might ‘Kill’ Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson’s Health Is An Increasing Concern
Mike Tyson isn’t looking at a significant amount of time in order to get his health in order. Going from an in-shape 58-year-old to a ring-ready 58-year-old is hard enough.
But apparently we’re talking about transforming from a “hard to walk” 58 to exchanging blows with a powerful striker half his age in two months.
The battle between Jake Paul and “Iron” Mike is scheduled for Friday, November 15th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Originally set for July 20th, the fight was postponed due to Tyson experiencing health issues related to an ulcer flare-up. The incident made boxing fans take a second look at the boxing legend’s vulnerability.
Prominent sports personalities came forward and openly wondered what Tyson was thinking in taking the fight.
Hulk Hogan, one of the most legendary characters in professional wrestling history, said Paul appears to be “too strong” and worried that he “might kill” Tyson.
Legendary broadcaster and boxing Hall of Famer Al Bernstein noted Tyson’s “advanced age” in taking on this fight.
“In his high 50s, you worry about what could happen to Tyson in this fight, to be honest,” Bernstein said. “I mean it’s hard to imagine him being effective in this, but I just hope everybody gets through it safely. That would be my only hope.”
Bernstein just hopes he gets through the fight while Hogan hopes he gets through it without being carried out on a stretcher. Not exactly reassuring.
So Why Is He Doing This?
With so many people concerned for his safety and self-admission that he can barely walk right now, many are left wondering why Mike Tyson insists on taking this fight.
Tyson tells USA Today that he’s set financially. So that’s not it.
It seems it’s just something he wants to do. A new challenge.
“Sometimes I want to see who I really am. I want to see what I’m really made out of,” he said. “I want to perform in front of the world,” Tyson said. “To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14.”
Nobody is rooting more for Tyson than those of us here at Bounding Into Sports. We hope it’s an incredible show and quite frankly, seeing Mike throw those punches with that uncanny quick burst of relentless power will be fun to see.
Who knows? Maybe he’ll take down the ‘Problem Child’ in the end.
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