Mike Tyson on age concerns before fight against Jake Paul: “I'm a different species of person”

ARLINGTON, Texas – Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is tired of hearing about his age ahead of his high-profile fight against social media star Jake Paul.

Tyson, 58, is 31 years older than Paul, but Iron Mike says you shouldn't compare him to other people his age.

“Other people my age haven't been training as long as me, haven't been as consistent as me, and I'm just a different breed of person,” Tyson told FOX 4's Mike Doocy.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 16: (LR) Mike Tyson, Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul pose on stage during the press conference for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in Arlington at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Image

The fight between Tyson and Paul was postponed earlier this year after representatives for the 58-year-old said he had an ulcer flaring up.

Still, Tyson believes he is fit and ready to fight and has “bad intentions.”

He says he's training like he always does.

“(Training) isn’t much different. I just need more massages than normal,” Tyson said.

Paul, a YouTube star turned boxer, began hosting boxing events in 2018 and has compiled a 9-1 record.

The former heavyweight champion says Paul can fight, but he's not at his level.

Tyson also urged Paul to jump in and exchange punches instead of “running away like a thief.”

“I think he should try it. He’s a younger man, he should be able to take a beating from an old, withered man like me,” Tyson said.

When Tyson was asked for a prediction for the fight, he didn't offer any information, but he didn't shy away from it

“My intention is to hurt this young man,” he said.

It will be the first fight for Tyson since 2020, when he fought former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. This match ended in a draw.

Tyson and Paul will face off on Friday, November 15th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The event will be broadcast live on Netflix.