It may be hard to believe whether a champion like Mike Tyson, whose journey in boxing began in his teens and led him to the pinnacle of the sport, still has those jitters before a fight. In a recent Instagram post, Tyson shared his thoughts, which, to many eyes, may hint at apprehensions growing inside. On November 15, at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, the former heavyweight champion will fight Jake Paul.

The upcoming match between a 58-year-old boxing great and a 27-year-old YouTuber turned boxer has garnered significant attention. Concerns have been raised about Tyson’s health, especially after the mid-flight medical emergency. Despite this, Mike Tyson remains undeterred, resuming his rigorous training. Capturing the intensity of his preparation, clips from his training camp have been going viral. Yet, even with all his experience, Tyson admits that thoughts of an impending fight can still weigh heavily on his mind.

Mike Tyson: Reflections on a lifetime in the ring

Perhaps this whole thing about him fighting when he is nearing sixty must have been predestined. He highlighted that he has been fighting since he was a teenager. Though one gets used to it as time passes, that fact remains: one still ends up contemplating what is about to come. At times, it might lead to anxiety. The feelings never fade away, regardless of your age. “I’ve been doing this for years. Since a teenager. So it’s just a form of anticipation. And that could be a form of nervousness and fear too. But it never goes away, no matter how old you are,” he admitted.

The interviewer asked whether he ever thought of stepping into the ring when he turned 57. Mike Tyson turned 58 on June 30. The former heavyweight champion replied, “Hey, listen, um, it was written. Millions of years before my bloodline existed, it was written, brother.” Tyson hinted that this match might symbolize a new chapter in his career.

Probably his thoughts resonate with the range of emotions that often consume a fighter in the lead-up to a fight. It’s often inescapable. There’s another way to look at it. An absence of emotions might as well mean that the fighter hasn’t prepared well and kind of given up on the fight.

‘Iron’ Mike: A life built on fights

If one takes a close look, ‘Iron’ Mike’s life has been a series of battles, from his tough upbringing in New York’s rough neighborhoods to his arrival at the Catskill Gym, where his legend began. He literally fought his way through each and every step to get what he wanted. In the latest interview with Andre Ward, he even shared how the desire to achieve greatness and become a world champion forged in those challenging years.

Considering Tyson’s near-nineteen-year break from professional boxing and that his last exhibition fight was four years ago, he could feel some adrenaline and nervous anticipation. However, fans believe that when fight night arrives, Tyson will likely tap into his ‘beast’ mode, offering glimpses of a fighter who captivated his audiences in his prime.

Jake Paul, by contrast, has remained active, with three fights last year and two so far this year. So do you think he could be devoid of these feelings and be supremely confident?