Jake Paul reveals text messages from ‘scared’ mum ahead of controversial Mike Tyson boxing fight
Jake Paul has admitted his mother is ‘scared’ and can’t even watch footage of Mike Tyson training ahead of their blockbuster boxing fight on Friday night.
The two Americans will lock horns at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, months after they’d originally intended to do battle.
Paul and Tyson had been due to face off on July 20. However, their showdown was delayed after the latter suffered an ulcer flare up.
Fast-forward to now and, barring any late twists, the seismic clash is set to go ahead.
Paul, speaking in a face-to-face sitdown with Tyson for MVP, has admitted that fear is starting to creep in a little bit.
And the 27-year-old has already revealed his mother, Pam Stepnick, is so scared she can barely watch footage of Tyson training.
“Yeah… yes! Indeed,” the former Disney and YouTube star replied when asked if he fears his opponent’s punching power.
“I have to be alert. This is a scary, scary man. He’s a killer and has the power still, judging by his sparring videos.
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“My mum has messaged me… she can’t even watch Tyson punch or train, she won’t watch it because it scares her.
“He has one of the most deadly uppercuts of all time so of course I have to be ready and know he’s going to have some moments in there and I’m going to have to persevere.”
Paul and his family have every right to be wary of Tyson.
Though 58, and being written off as a faded force, the boxing icon proved during his prime years that he’s one of the best heavyweights of all time.
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Paul is confident he can secure victory, however, in what would be the biggest win of his career so far.
“This is my time,” he continued. “The god’s have showed this to me.
“I’m going to be faster and stronger. I’m going to show the world that I outboxed Mike Tyson and that’s f****g wild to say.
“I’m excited man. It’s going to be a beautiful night.”
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Meanwhile, Tyson has insisted that money isn’t a factor in his decision to face Paul – with the 58-year-old eager to prove a point instead.
“This fight is not going to change my life financially,” Tyson told SPORTbible.
“If I did it for free, it’s not going to change my life. My wife is constantly telling me, you do not need to do this fight.
“This is what I want to do, this is me. I’m seeking my glory.”
He added: “I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis.
“That’s bulls*** for me. I’m a man; I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk. Sometimes I want to see who I really am. I want to see what I’m really made out of.
“I want to perform in front of the world. To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14. This is just what I want to do.”