Why Jake Paul wants to demolish Mike Tyson

That headline felt like sacrilege to write, but unfortunately that’s how I think Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson on Friday, November 15 is going to play out.

Tyson and Paul have done a good job of promoting their fight and making it look like it will be a competitive affair, but gentleman’s agreements aside, I think this is a huge mismatch.

I believe Paul TKOs Tyson in the early rounds, possibly against the ropes as the referee mercifully steps in. I don’t like it and I want the opposite to happen, but here’s my logic.

Misleading Editing in Tyson Workout Videos

Quite often we see Tyson’s workout footage making the rounds, with a flood of positive confirmations in the comments noting that the old ‘Iron’ Mike is back for one last showing. What many don’t consider, however, is the editing and fast pace of his highlight videos. Most of his highlights in camp are seconds long, giving the impression that the 58-year-old combat veteran has some pro-level stamina.

Tyson bedridden training 4 years ago

When we see Tyson in a long workout video, he takes long breaks between workouts. Almost four years ago, before Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr., Tyson admitted that a thirty second workout video left him in bed for a week. Do we think much has changed now that he is almost 60?

Yes, he looks good for five seconds at a time. How about eight bouts a 27-year-old with bottomless pockets and the best training money can buy?

It’s not a question of Tyson reconnecting with his prime because he literally can’t. Neck and back problems have plagued an older Tyson; he was straight hospitalized with a stomach ulcer when the original Paul fight was booked last year.

We’ve seen an old Tyson fight before

There would be no question about the outcome of this fight if not for Tyson’s age. 54-year-old Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 and he didn’t look so great…

Tyson looked stiff, winging punches and choking his work. This was against an old Jones Jr., Jake Paul is 30 years younger than Tyson. Jones Jr. also lost to former UFC lightweight Anthony Pettis in their 2023 boxing match.

And before anyone brings Tyson’s legend status into the equation, we saw 60-year-old Evander Holyfield obliterated by over-the-hill MMA fighter Vitor Belfort in 2021.

It is in the selfish nature of a fight fan to want to see legends of the sport lace up one last time. Unfortunately, the only acceptable context for this to happen is when they are fighting another legend of the same age.

The problem with Paul’s decision to fight Tyson is that it works against the narrative Paul was trying to build when he said he would take the hard way to a legitimate boxing world title. Where does knocking out a 58-year-old cult icon fit into that plan? If Paul defeats Tyson, he increases his hatred tenfold, and if he loses, all his appeal is gone.

After all, why do people tune in to Jake Paul games if not to watch him lose?

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