Jake Paul on Tyson bout: ‘One of us has to die’

Jake Paul says that only one man can leave the ring on his own two feet when he faces boxing icon Mike Tyson in a professional bout later this summer.

Paul will take on the 11th bout of his career on July 20 in Arlington, Texas when he steps into the ring with former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, in what is the veteran pugilist’s first appearance in the ring in almost two decades.

It was confirmed last week that the contest is to be a professional bout that counts on both men’s records, with the fight taking place over the course of eight two-minute rounds and with both men wearing 14oz gloves. But despite the fight having a maximum duration of 16 minutes, Paul says that this will be more than enough time for either man to make their mark.

“It’s an honour to be in the ring with him, but I have to end him,” Paul said while speaking at the recent F1 Grand Prix in Miami, as noted by MMA Mania. ‘’It’s war. All is fair in love and war. I love the guy, but as soon as it turned into a pro-fight, one of us has to die.”

He added: “He’s a legend. I love the guy. But at the end of the day, it’s war and sometimes you just have to go to war and put it all on the line. I still have the utmost respect for him, and I think he’ll say the same about me and what I’ve done for the sport.”

It will remain to be seen if Tyson displays the same sort of respect for boxing neophyte Paul, though one would expect that any pre-fight accords will melt away by the time the first bell rings in Texas in a few months’ time.

In the bout, Paul will be seeking to extend his current run of three wins which included a comprehensive decision win against Nate Diaz last year.

Should Tyson have his hand raised, it will be his first victory in the ring since a February 2003 first-round knockout win against Clifford Etienne.

Tickets for the event, which is to be streamed live on Netflix, go on sale on May 16.