Tyson, who is now 58, offered short and succinct responses to the media’s queries on Wednesday evening, just a couple of nights before their fight at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. His opponent Paul, notably 31 years younger, has stirred considerable excitement in this matchup.
Questions surrounding Tyson’s health, which has been a topic of concern since the fight’s initial scheduling for July 20, were notably absent. The fight had to be pushed back after Tyson experienced health issues related to a stomach ulcer during a flight.
In promotional content for the fight, Tyson noted that he had lost 26 pounds while recuperating. However, Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions—which Paul also heads—asserted that Tyson had been medically cleared for weeks leading up to the event.
Additionally, Bidarian ensured that Tyson was undergoing the standard medical evaluations required for any professional fight sanctioned in Texas. Although many other states declined to sanction this event, Texas permitted an eight-round match, with two-minute rounds instead of the standard three, and the use of heavier gloves aimed at reducing punch impact.
“I’ve said everything I had to say,” Tyson remarked during one of several moments when the press attempted to elicit more from him. “I’m just looking forward to fighting.”
Paul, on the other hand, found humor in Tyson’s brevity. “It’s cute,” he stated. “I fear no man, so I want him to be that old savage Mike.” The younger fighter attempted to provoke Tyson further by wearing what he claimed was a “diamond-spiked ear cover,” a cheeky reference to Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident involving Evander Holyfield back in 1997.
Tyson’s demeanor changed momentarily when asked repeatedly about the possibility of losing the fight. Having last officially competed in 2005 and last faced Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match four years ago, Tyson was adamant about his intention to win. “I am not going to lose,” he asserted, increasing his volume on the second inquiry. “Did you hear what I said?”
With a professional record of 50 wins, 6 losses, and 44 knockouts, Tyson stepped away from the ring nearly 19 years ago. In contrast, Paul holds a record of 10 wins and 1 loss, amounting to seven knockouts, during his brief professional career primarily against mixed martial artists and less seasoned boxers.
This fight marks the inaugural combat sports event to be streamed on Netflix, accessible at no extra charge to the service’s more than 280 million subscribers worldwide.
As for betting odds, Paul is considered a favorite at minus-200, meaning a successful bet on Paul would yield half the amount wagered. The card also features a co-main event rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for the undisputed super welterweight title. Taylor narrowly won their previous encounter by a contentious split decision at Madison Square Garden in 2022, a historic moment as it was the first women’s bout to headline the iconic venue.
Both Taylor and Serrano were present on stage, seated behind Tyson and Paul, along with ten other fighters from the undercard on either side of the two headlining stars.
