The last thing Mike Tyson feels is threatened by Jake Paul.
Tyson and the YouTube sensation were primed for a showdown in the ring on July 20, but the former heavyweight champion suffered an ulcer flare-up at the end of May, postponing the highly anticipated bout to Nov. 15.
In an interview published Monday on Esquire, Tyson, who has resumed training since the health scare, pulled no punches, claiming, “I don’t think he [Paul] can hurt me.”
The heavy hitter, who officially retired in 2005, has kept busy, dabbling in exhibition fights, taking on Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.
While fans might have fretted over the 58-year-old’s health, he’s showing no signs of worry or weakness, gearing up for his first pro duel since retiring.
In fact, it appears the champ is nowhere near hanging up his gloves, he said.
“This is all I started fighting for: to get all this f–king status. I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life, I know that. I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough,” Tyson told Esquire.
Paul, boasting a 9-1 pro-boxing record since his debut in 2018, understands he’s diving headfirst into a high-stakes gamble against “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
Despite being at the top of his boxing career, the 28-year-old’s experience pales in comparison to Tyson’s legendary resume.
“I just want to take a risk,” the social media personality told The Post in June. “I think I am crazy for this; I definitely am because I don’t think anyone would take the risk in this position, but that’s just what makes me different. I’m not slowing down for anyone and I want to stay active in the gym.
“He’s Mike Tyson at the end of the day. He has lethal knockout power and is very, very experienced. I think it is going to be a brawl regardless.”
In place of the originally scheduled bout, Paul and former UFC fighter Mike Perry will fight at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Paul vs. Tyson, taking place at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, will take place over eight two-minute rounds.
The brawl will stream live on Netflix.