Jake Paul is no stranger to big fights, but his upcoming bout with boxing legend Mike Tyson has even those closest to him feeling anxious. On November 15, Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, will step into the ring with Tyson, one of the most powerful punchers in boxing history. The fight, which has drawn both excitement and scepticism, will see Paul moving up to heavyweight—a big leap for the young fighter who has only been boxing for a few years.
Tyson, now 57, may have left the professional boxing world back in 2005, but his reputation as a fierce competitor remains. Although the age gap between him and Paul is significant, many believe Tyson’s experience and raw power could still pose a serious threat.
Paul recently spoke about the fight with his girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, on his podcast BS With Jake Paul. Leerdam, an Olympic medallist in speed skating, shared her concerns and admitted this fight feels different from any of Paul’s previous matchups.
“I think you’re going to win, but he’s the competitor that is the most scary to me,” Leerdam confessed. “For me, if I look at him, he’s scary, he’s super strong and I’ve seen, like, videos of him. Of course, he’s a little older now, but if you’ve ever been able to do that, your body remembers it.”
Jake Paul’s Girlfriend Shares Her Nerves Ahead of Mike Tyson Fight
She went on to reflect on the unique challenge Tyson brings, noting that even with age, Tyson’s years of training might still make him a dangerous opponent.
“He has that power forever… But also one thing about Jake is that he’s been doing this for like five years. I think that is worse than being almost 60 and your whole life you’re used to that power. You’ve trained so much, your body will remember that.”
Leerdam’s worries stem from Tyson’s longevity in the sport compared to Paul’s relatively recent start in boxing. She pointed out the stark difference in their career timelines.
“He’s had so many years of training. Jake didn’t even train five years ago. He didn’t do anything, he was partying; it’s not even comparable. He is 57, but he is strong and his body remembers how to fight. Jake has been doing this only a few years.”
To emphasize her point, Leerdam drew a comparison to her own sport of speed skating.
“So if someone started a few years ago in speed skating, they couldn’t even participate in the world championships. That’s not even possible, so what Jake is doing is already crazy, seriously.”
Paul’s Family Feels Similar
Paul’s family shares similar feelings. In a video clip from earlier this year, Paul casually informed his mother of his plans to fight Tyson, which initially was scheduled for July. In the clip, she nervously laughed and asked, “What if he knocks you out?” capturing the sentiment many of Paul’s loved ones feel about this intense matchup.
Later, in an interview with Bloody Elbow, Paul mentioned his mother’s continued concern about the fight, highlighting just how unsettling Tyson’s reputation remains even decades after his prime.
“She will be there, but my mom is very scared actually,” Paul said. “Like, she keeps on asking me if I’m ready, asking my team if I’m ready. She’s not liking this one, to be honest. He just looks scary and big, and his Instagram videos on the mitts look crazy and everything, so I get it.”
The fight, no doubt one of the biggest of Paul’s career, has sparked plenty of conversation among fans and his forever growing list of critics. This fight with Tyson marks the second legitimate boxer Jake Paul’s fought after losing to Tommy Fury.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
