Jake Paul Says He Needs ‘Mike Tyson Energy’ in Fight vs. Icon: ‘Legend Must Fall’

Adam WellsMay 24, 2024

Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix

Jake Paul is taking inspiration from Mike Tyson for his upcoming bout against the boxing icon.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Paul explained he needs to “channel that Mike Tyson energy” to defeat the former heavyweight champion because “the legend must fall.”

Paul also said he will have “absolutely” no hesitation about going right at Tyson despite their age difference because Iron Mike would do the same thing.

The curiosity of seeing Tyson in a boxing ring again is one of the main selling points for this showdown. He will turn 58 years old on June 30, three weeks before the fight.

Tyson hasn’t fought an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. that ended in a split draw on Nov. 28, 2020. The Paul bout will be his first professional match since June 2005 when he lost to Kevin McBride.

The last time Tyson won a fight, either professional or exhibition, was in February 2003 when he knocked out Clifford Etienne in the first round.

Paul, who is 27, has a 9-1 record in 10 professional bouts. A majority of his fights have come against fighters well past their prime and/or were famous for competing in a different sport.

Even though Tyson definitely falls into the former camp, he might still have enough power to score a knockout if he can land one good punch on Paul.

Paul and Tyson will determine who is the better boxer on July 20 in the main event of a show from AT&T Stadium.