OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson, considered one of the best boxers ever, will face YouTube star Jake Paul in an upcoming exhibition match.
While Tyson has accomplished everything in his illustrious boxing career, Paul only has 10 professional fights.
However, Tyson admitted he is “scared to death” of the fight due to his personality of confronting anything that frightens him.
“I have a weird personality – I don’t think it’s weird though. Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it. That’s how it is,” Tyson said. “I was afraid of the Roy [Jones Jr. fight [in 2020].
“I was 100 pounds overweight, I was however old, 54, 53, and I said ‘Let’s do it.’ Anything I’m afraid of, I confront it. That’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.”
He was similarly afraid before recent comeback fights against Roy Jones Jr. and others but said overcoming nerves “catapulted” him to success.
“I always believed that adversity and nervousness pretty much catapulted me into success. If I didn’t have these feelings, I wouldn’t go into this fight. I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never go in the ring.”
As the fight gets closer, Tyson noted his fear will subside as “reality” sets in, making him feel “invincible” in the ring.
He acknowledged Paul has progressed far from his early YouTube videos and expects Paul to aggressively try to hurt him, which Tyson is accustomed to from his boxing experience.
“As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become, because it’s reality. And in reality, I’m invincible.”
“I saw a YouTube of him at 16 doing weird dances. That’s not the guy I’m gonna be fighting,” he said. “This guy is gonna come, he’s gonna try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to, and he’s gonna be greatly mistaken.”
