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The winner of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson could already have their next fight lined up.

Paul and Tyson will meet on July 20 in a high-profile showdown, that has surprisingly been declared as a professional contest despite the latter approaching age 58.

A new wave of crossover boxing has seen legends return to the ring including Evander Holyfield, who was beaten by KO in under two minutes of a farcical exhibition bout against Vitor Belfort in September 2021.

And UFC legend Belfort, who won a world title in the light-heavyweight division, believes he has earned a shot against one of the two huge names.

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He told World Boxing News: “I am looking for the fight that really makes sense for me.

“We have a couple of offers, but we are waiting for the right ones. I want to fight the winner of this fight, and I think I deserve it.

57 Year Old Mike Tyson Leaves Old Opponent Evander Holyfield Surprised With Jake  Paul Preparation

“It depends on the moment. I cannot wait very long for him [Paul], but he deserves fights. He has shown a lot of evolution and is very good.”

“It is good business for both fighters. They generate a lot of money for each other, which is good for the sport.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea if he only trained for this fight. A fighter always has to keep up a healthy lifestyle. I hope that he is.

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“This fight feels more like an exhibition, and I don’t think Mike is the same fighter he used to be.”

Belfort boxed and defeated Jacare Souza on Jorge Masvidal’s lavel Gamebred Boxing in April 2023, but is way beyond his own prime aged 47.

Evander Holyfield wants to fight Jake Paul if he's offered “enough money” -  Dexerto

It was a sad ending to the career of Holyfield despite it only being an exhibition, which serves a warning for his former rival Tyson, who is 31 years older than Paul.

Tyson has been documenting his training in footage posted to his social media, where he has shown off his power in small bursts leading to fears for Paul.

RELATED NEWS :Insider Says Mike Tyson Is in the Same Situation as Conor McGregor – “Biggest Fear Is…”

But in reality, a professional fight could be dangerous for Tyson who has received multiple medical warnings over the lasting damage a KO could leave on his physical health.

Jake Paul given same important advice by fans after announcing Netflix  fight with Mike Tyson

He told talkSPORT.com: “He is definitely in danger and I think it is sad to see as a boxing fan.

“I fight and I don’t want to see a fellow boxer at that age, at 58, I just think he has had his time.

“I think he is done and should stay that way, but people will do what they want to do at the end of the day.

UPDATE NEWS :Stephen A. Smith disgusted by Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson being sanctioned as a professional boxing bout

“I feel like it is just dangerous, and the idea of a YouTube boxer beating Mike Tyson is not a nice feeling for me.

“He could have that on his record and it is not nice as a boxing fan because we see Mike Tyson as a legend.”

Evander Holyfield’s comeback fight against Vitor Belfort in 2021 serves as a warning for Mike Tyson.

Holyfield, then 58 years old, accepted a fight with the former UFC light-heavyweight champion when Oscar De La Hoya, Belfort’s original opponent, was forced to pull out of the contest after contracting COVID-19.

Like Tyson’s upcoming fight against Jake Paul, Holyfield’s return to the ring was preceded by widespread medical concerns.

The former two-weight world champion looked like a shell of his former self, slipping early and nearly falling out of the ring.

READ MORE :Jake Paul is so worried about his fight against Mike Tyson that he is delaying his long-awaited PFL debut

Holyfield was wobbled by the first meaningful shot he absorbed – and got knocked down with a left-hand moments later.

Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield give stamp of approval to Paul brothers:  'Those guys are helping boxing so much' | Fox News

Once he got back to his feet, Belfort rained shots down on him and although Holyfield covered up, he offered no replies of his own as the referee stopped the fight.

Many had criticised the decision to place a 58-year-old Holyfield in the ring and praised the referee for stepping in so quickly.

However, the boxing legend said: “The guy pushed me, the guy is strong.

“But I wasn’t hurt. There wasn’t no shot that hurt me real bad. He got me with a shot and I was off balance. I’m not hurt. It’s kind of sad.

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“I think it was a bad call, he shouldn’t have stopped the fight that quick.”

Except, rather than ‘Iron Mike’ giving away a 14-year age disparity as Holyfield did to Belfort, he is stepping into the ring with a man 31 years his junior in Paul.

Jake Paul to fight Mike Tyson in boxing match streamed live on Netflix

The last time Tyson competed – a non-scoring bout against Roy Jones Jr in 2020 – he looked in much better nick than Holyfield.

However, ‘RJ’ was also in his 50s.

Concerns have been raised about Tyson’s health as he gears up to box Paul.

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As he is an older man and recovering alcoholic, Tyson is at an increased risk of suffering a subdural haematoma, better known as a brain bleed.

57 Year Old Mike Tyson Leaves Old Opponent Evander Holyfield Surprised With Jake  Paul Preparation

“In older people, the brain tends to lose volume,” Hughes explained. “This lengthens the bridging veins and makes them more vulnerable to rupture.

“Bleeding from these torn veins causes a collection of blood that presses on the brain.

UPDATE :Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Promoter in talks to determine what is possible for fight rules

“Alcoholism is known to accelerate brain shrinkage, and it appears that Tyson has this as a past risk factor.”