The three men that defeated Mike Tyson in world heavyweight title fights have given their predictions for the upcoming bout with Jake Paul.
‘Iron Mike’ returns to action on Friday 15 November against Youtuber-turned-boxer Paul, in what will be Tyson’s first professional contest since 2005.
Tyson was one of the most ferocious fighters of all time, becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion in history at 20 years, 4 months and 22 days.
His first professional defeat was a monumental upset loss to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in February 1990, and Douglas has now revealed how he sees the bout against Paul going.
James ‘Buster’ Douglas
“It’s not going to be good for Jake. I don’t think there will be much of a boxing career left for Paul afterwards. I think once Mike gets rid of him, that’s it for his boxing career.
“The best scenario for Paul is to just last the entire fight, say he went the distance with Mike Tyson. Keep his hands up and duck those haymakers because they’re going to be coming. Paul will be intimidated by those haymakers, they’re like rockets.
Keep moving Paul, don’t stand in front of him, don’t stand on the train tracks. I look at it like an easy win. It will be the easiest win of his career. At 65 years old it may be tough, but at 58 it will be a piece of cake.”
Tyson rebuilt his career after the loss to Douglas and became world champion again, but then suffered back-to-back defeats to Evander Holyfield, the second being the infamous disqualification loss after ‘Iron Mike’ bit the ear of Holyfield.
Evander Holyfield
‘The Real Deal’ has also shared his thoughts on the bout to Fight Hub TV, and broke down when the fight could be won and lost.
“I don’t know how much confidence that Jake Paul has and all of that, but he’s gonna be a lot quicker. If he stays close to Mike then his chance of winning is gonna be great, but if he tries to stay back from Mike he’s gonna get caught.
“Mike is like a snake. He’ll pop out on ya. He gets there too quick. But if you charge him, you’re gonna smother him. He push off his legs so he’s too close, but if you give him room everybody gets knocked out going backwards. Give him room you’re gonna be messed up.”
Tyson’s final world title fight came against Lennox Lewis in June 2002, suffering an eighth round stoppage loss, and Lewis gave a defiant prediction when talking to FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Lennox Lewis
“Mike Tyson is going to win. Mike Tyson is not that old. Don’t take him too softly.
You got to look at the age. You can probably fight somebody like that and do well cause they’re not a true fighter and there’s a 100 things you’ve forgotten that he’s learning.
“Age will be a determining favour if the fight goes too long. But if Mike comes with a 10-second combination and catches him, he’s 100% [going down].”
All will be revealed when Tyson and Paul meet on November 15, and ‘Iron Mike’ has given a fresh assessment of his opponent.
