Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson admitted that if he were 27 years elderly, he would not even consider fighting the 58-year-old.

“Iron Mike” will return to the ring next month against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, with the fight scheduled for November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas, potentially in front of a crowd of 90,000. The fight will be a heavyweight fight lasting eight two-minute rounds.

The two were originally scheduled to face each other earlier this year, but Tyson, 58, had to withdraw due to an inflamed ulcer. Doctors advised him to stop training, but after returning to the gym he feels prepared to fight the 27-year-old.

Since the fight was confirmed, many have expressed concern about Tyson’s health and criticized the 31-year age difference between the fighters.

Tyson’s last fight was an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, and the boxing legend has not competed in a professional fight in almost two decades. As for “The Problem Child,” he knocked out former UFC fighter Mike Perry in his last fight in July.

With the age difference being a significant factor in the upcoming fight, Tyson recently took the opportunity to call out his future opponent. At a recent press conference, “Iron Mike” was asked how the fight would have gone if he was 27 and Paul was 58, to which the American replied: “Well, I would never fight a 58-year-old if I was 27.” “

In a recent talkSPORT interview, Paul addressed the criticism surrounding his upcoming fight with Tyson. “First of all, I think it’s disrespectful to Mike,” he said.

“And then I told them, ‘Get in the ring with him.’ If Mike wants to fight, then Mike wants to fight. If he wants it to be a professional fight, then: «OK!» I want to fight Mike Tyson, he’s a legend. It’s an honor to be in the ring with him, and if he wants this fight to be a professional fight, then “OK, let’s do it.”

“You look at his training videos, you look at him with the gloves, you look at him in person. He has a 30-pound weight advantage and is incredibly forceful. So people can say whatever they want, but they will still watch it.” .

“I understand the elderly guard, and the elderly guys want to see me lose. Ultimately, that’s what makes this fight so captivating, because two generations come together. I think people over 30 want Mike Tyson [to win]25 and younger want me to win. That’s what makes it very captivating.”

With only a few weeks left until the fight, some fans are skeptical about “Iron Mike” and his involvement in the upcoming match. On Jimmy Kimmel’s show, Tyson revealed his tough training regimen: “I train extremely demanding, I exercise six hours a day. I start at 11 a.m. and can leave the gym at 5 p.m..”

Jake Paul has issued a blunt six-word warning amid continued doubts over whether his fight with Mike Tyson will go ahead. The boxing icon and social media sensation will go head-to-head at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Nov. 15, after the original July date was postponed after Tyson, 58, suffered health problems.

Given Tyson’s age and questionable health, there are fears the fight could be shelved again. Paul, who is 31 years Tyson’s junior, insists his opponent is in good shape, declaring: “It’s Mike Tyson or nothing.”

He added: “But most of all, he’s robust, he feels great and he’s doing great in camp.” However, you cannot decide to replace an opponent if Tyson withdraws again if it makes financial sense. Here are five potential opponents of the Problem Child…

Tony Bellew

The outspoken 41-year-old slammed Paul for continuing to fight Tyson, but says he would be willing to enter the fight if the money was right.

The former cruiserweight world champion said last month: “To be completely candid, I have no real hunger or desire to face Jake Paul. Do I want to? No, on purpose. But would I do it? Yes. Everyone has their price. Yes, definitely, but do I really want it?

Chael Sonnen

Former UFC star Sonnen slammed Tyson and Paul this year, accusing Tyson of “faking” training videos. He offered to replace Iron Mike before the original deadline dropped and ridiculed Paul for not putting him in as a replacement.

Sonnen (47) sarcastically wrote on X in May: “I think Jake Paul was clever to sign me to a contract as Tyson’s backup, right?” He then brutally growled, “If Jake Paul finds out he’s fighting ME in a month, HE’S probably going to have a heart attack.”

Sakio Bika

Former super middleweight world champion Bika also intervened after Tyson suffered a medical emergency in May. The Cameroon-born Australian hasn’t fought since 2021, but he’s ready to step into the ring with Paul.

The 45-year-old said: “If Jake Paul is grave about fighting a former champion, look for someone much younger or busy over the last decade. I can fight Jake Paul at any weight he wants.”

Roy Jones Jr

Fighting Jones would probably make sense if Paul still wanted to fight the boxing legend. Jones, 55, fought Tyson in an exhibition fight in 2020 and met Paul, who was fighting under the same bill. This performance spawned the Tyson vs. Paul.

Mike Perry

When the July date was canceled, bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry stepped in and organized a crossover boxing match taking place in Tampa, Florida. The Problem Child secured a sixth-round knockout after repeatedly throwing the former UFC star.

He was kicked out of the BKFC promotion bare-knuckled by his co-owner Conor McGregor in the wake of this fight, Perry would likely be available for a rematch, although it would have little drawing power.