Jake Paul says he’s not worried about Iron Mike Tyson’s power. “I have an iron chin.”
Jake Paul invited his girlfriend onto his latest podcast and she pulled no punches when talk turned to Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson scheduled for July 20.
“Hey babe, but what if he knocks you out?’ ’’ asked Jutta Leerdam, the Dutch speedskater.
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The question elicited laughter on the podcast that was released Thursday. It also underscored the fear Tyson inspires even though he hasn’t fought professionally since 2005 and he’ll be 58 when he and the 27-year-old Paul are scheduled to fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
With a grin, Paul suggested Leerdam should just look away if it happens.
“Seriously, babe,’’ she replied, “what if he knocks you out? Is that your last fight?”
Paul, who is 9-1 with six knockouts, eventually ended the banter by saying Tyson will not knock him out. (As a pro, Tyson was 50-6 with 44 knockouts, some of the most devastating in boxing history.)
“No, I’m too sharp and fast,’’ Paul said.
Also, Paul suggested recent activity will be a factor.
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In November 2020, Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in a eight-round exhibition. On the undercard that same night, Paul knocked out Nate Robinson. Since then, Paul has fought eight times. Tyson has not fought.
“I think just being active, and being the man in the arena for years and years now,’’ Paul said in explaining why he doesn’t think Tyson will knock him out. “Like I don’t even get nervous. The nerves are not even there anymore.”
Iron Chin vs. Iron Mike?
Paul reflected on a recent promotional shoot with Tyson that took place on a heli-pad in Los Angeles.
“Shaking his hand at the shoot, this (expletive) is strong as (expletive),’’ Paul said. “Like probably the strongest handshake…I don’t think he was trying not squeeze but you could just feel his hands were like bricks.’’
Saying he wants to see how hard Tyson hits, Paul looked at the camera while taping the podcast and said, “Mike, I really want to see, bro. Let’s see, all the legends, the myths, because you’re Iron Mike Tyson, but I have an iron chin.
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“People know that. I take shots, so I think people are underestimating me being able to deal with his power. And that is something that is going to make it interesting.’’
Paul also addressed the 30-year-old age gap between him and Tyson and how that might impact the fight.
“I am biting off a lot,’’ Paul said. “This is definitely the toughest, most savage, lethal opponent regardless of age, because the power is the last thing to go.’’
Four months from the scheduled bout, Paul said he’s feeling no nervousness about fighting Tyson.
“Not at all,’’ he said. “I’m excited. I literally can’t wait to look across the ring and see him and give him an (expletive) death stare.’’
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But Paul’s girlfriend sounded less excited.
“I think you’re going to win,’’ Leerdam told Paul, “but he’s the competitor that’s, like, the most scary to me.”
