Roy Jones Jr. is backing Mike Tyson to "teach" Jake Paul "a lesson" when the duo step into the boxing ring on Nov. 15.
Tyson and Paul are scheduled to meet in a hugely-anticipated showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. It will be Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years, although he has fought in a pair of exhibitions since his retirement — most recently in 2020 against the aforementioned Jones.
Meanwhile, Paul is more than 30 years Tyson's junior and has been active in the ring since his debut in 2020. The social media star has a 10-1 record since crossing over into professional boxing, with his lone loss coming to Tommy Fury, and Paul has fought twice in 2024 already.
However, former four-weight champion Jones still believes the fight is Tyson's to lose, despite all the advantages Paul enters the bout with.
"Mike Tyson can beat anybody he wants to when he feels like it, but he can do that whenever he feels like it because he can do it," Jones told Betway.
"Jake Paul on the other hand needs to make some adjustments and learn to do things he hasn’t done before. I think Mike will teach him a lesson and teach him as he goes and teach him about boxing for what he knows because Mike knows all the ins and outs of boxing. I think with that being said, Mike could win the fight early and will do that. If Jake can hang around long enough to tire Mike out, because he’s a 58-year-old man so that’s possible and if he can tire him out, then he has a great chance."
One question mark hanging over Tyson's head is his health, as the former undisputed world heavyweight champion suffered an ulcer flareup aboard a flight in May that forced the postponement of the fight from its original July date. Should Tyson not be able to go next month, Jones hasn't ruled out taking his fellow legend's place against Paul.
"Would I step in and face Jake Paul if Mike pulls out?" the 55-year-old Jones said. "Well, I’m retired but if the money is right…"
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