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Courtesy:Imago
What will be the nature of the most talked about fight of this quarter: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul? Controversial podcaster Joe Rogan, who has an opinion about almost everything to do with the combat world, gave his critical input as to what he expects from the unusual matchup.
When the gong heralds their professional bout on July 20, the two fighters, with an age difference of almost 31 years, will fight their best to secure a win that will reflect on their record. For Tyson, who will be 58 by then, it is as crucial and risky as it could get. ‘Iron’ Mike has been out of professional boxing for close to two decades, and his last bout was an exhibition in 2020. To embody a professional fighter yet again could be difficult.
On his podcast, the 56-year-old podcaster sat down for a conversation with American comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco. Their engaging conversation took a turn when they started talking about the massive Netflix event. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is staging the event at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. While describing the nature of the fight, he had a poignant phrase to attribute. Rogan summarized the fight in a single line, saying, “I think this fight is going to be a real full bore, 100% fight.”
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He’s confident both fighters will put their best foot forward for the fight, noting, “It’s not even an exhibition. It counts on their professional record, so it’s a professional fight.” However, he couldn’t help but address why this fight is receiving as much flak as it is—Tyson and Paul’s age difference. Seeing as ‘Iron’ Mike is three decades older than Paul, Rogan surmised that is a huge consideration that has resulted in the more lenient rules.
He added, “They made it two-minute rounds because Tyson’s old. And they were going to do 16-ounce gloves with it down to 14, which is not much bigger than a regular glove.” Generally, heavyweight matchups see fighters don 10-ounce gloves and fight for 12 rounds of 3 minutes each, with a minute’s break in between each round. However, this one will be for eight rounds of two minutes each, with a two-minute break in between every round.
The podcaster remains in awe of the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ as he once compared Mike to the legendary fighter Muhammad Ali. He expressed how a prime Mike Tyson looked better than the ‘The Greatest’ did during his heyday. “Even Ali in his prime, even Ali when he was Cassius Clay. I never saw anybody who looked like Mike Tyson in his prime. I think it just, you can’t maintain the kind of focus that was required to be this guy,” stated Rogan.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 28: Mike Tyson reacts after receiving a split draw against Roy Jones Jr. during Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. presented by Triller at Staples Center on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller)
Joe Rogan’s analysis of the Tyson-Paul fight was similar to what former MMA fighter Chael Sonnen said when he compared Mike Tyson’s situation to Conor McGregor’s. Discussing its rules, Sonnen explained, “Two-minute rounds is what Mike did when he took on Roy [Jones Jr]. Mike was completely exhausted. A combat athlete’s biggest fear is exhaustion. So if you’re a guy like Mike Tyson, it’s the same situation that Conor McGregor is going into with Michael Chandler.”
McGregor, who will be entering the ring at UFC 303 following a 3-year break, has almost always had a problem with endurance. And given his post-injury break, it’s likely to have gotten worse. Considering this will be Tyson’s first fight since the exhibition against Jones Jr, Sonnen believes the 57-year-old’s biggest worry would be his ability to stay standing until the final bell.
Speaking of the Roy Jones Jr fight, even Joe Rogan brought ‘Iron Mike’s’ last fight in the ring up to back his analysis.
Rogan reveals why Roy Jones Jr agreed to the fight
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Well, this is a professional fight, as mentioned earlier. However, Jones Jr., just three years younger than Tyson, was a clear underdog that time around. Tyson was not just bigger in size but also “terrifying.”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 28: Roy Jones Jr. (L) and Mike Tyson celebrate their split draw during Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. presented by Triller at Staples Center on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller)
Rogan explained, “I think the Roy Jones Jr, fight, they made an agreement to not punch in the head. I’m pretty sure because I watched that fight carefully, many times. It never looked like he was targeting Roy’s head. Which makes sense why Roy agreed to do the fight.” That night, Tyson far exceeded expectations. He had Jones in survival mode throughout. Tyson targeted the body early to slow down his quicker foe and consistently hurt him with power shots.
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The podcaster added, “Roy is a smaller person, much smaller. Roy was at his best when he was 168 pounds. And then, when he was weighing 175 pounds, he didn’t even have to cut weight… Roy was 168 pounds in his prime. He wasn’t Mike Tyson’s size. Mike Tyson’s f**king enormous. He’s just a different mass. He’s the width, the density, it’s terrifying.”
Do you think Jake Paul will be ready for all that Mike Tyson is bringing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.