In the final news conference before his highly anticipated fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson opted for brevity in his responses. The event took place at a small concert venue near the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, where the fight is scheduled to take place.
The issue of Tyson's health, which had caused a postponement of the bout from its original date in July, was not a topic of discussion during the press conference. Tyson had to be treated for a stomach ulcer after falling ill on a flight, resulting in a delay of the fight to Friday night. Despite losing 26 pounds during his recovery, Tyson has been medically cleared for the upcoming bout.
The fight, sanctioned by Texas, will feature modifications such as eight rounds instead of the usual 10 or 12, two-minute rounds instead of three, and heavier gloves to reduce the impact of punches. Tyson, with a record of 50-6 and 44 knockouts before retiring 19 years ago, expressed confidence in his ability to win, dismissing questions about the possibility of losing.
Paul, who boasts a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts in his professional career, is considered the favorite in betting odds. The fight will be the first combat sports event to be streamed on Netflix, available to the platform's global subscriber base of over 280 million.
In addition to the Tyson-Paul showdown, the co-main event will feature a rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for the undisputed super welterweight title. Taylor's previous victory over Serrano in a split decision at Madison Square Garden in 2022 was met with controversy, setting the stage for an intense rematch.
The press conference also included the presence of the undercard fighters, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement leading up to the upcoming event.
