Jake Paul has a plan prepared if Mike Tyson tries to recreate his infamous 1997 ear-biting moment when they face off in an exhibition fight July 20.
“He can’t bite my ear off if I knock his teeth out,” the 27-year-old Paul told Fox News’ Jesse Watters on Wednesday.
Paul, at 9-1 in his professional fighting career, will take on the former world heavyweight champion (50-6, 44 KOs) at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys — and the fight will stream live exclusively on Netflix.
Jake Paul knocks out Ryan Bourland and celebrates winning the fight in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 2, 2024.REUTERS
Mike Tyson throws a punch during the third round against Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition boxing bout Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Los Angeles.
“Man, I think he’s underestimating me,’’ Paul said of Tyson, who will be 58 (his birthday is June 30) when they get in the ring. “I truly … I truly think that. And it’s a heavyweight fight, so, you know, he’s the bigger man.
“But I’m the faster man. He’s the much stronger man, but I’m fresh. He’s experienced. I’m smart but in the ring he may be smarter, so it’s a really interesting matchup.’”
Paul went on to explain his training plan to face Iron Mike.
“He’s the bigger man so … he’s going to be getting inside,’’ the internet personality said. “I’m probably going to … gain weight for this fight.
“But I believe I have the faster feet and the faster hands. So, I’m going to be working angles.’’
Roy Jones Jr. (L) and Mike Tyson celebrate their split draw during Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. at Staples Center on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.Getty Images for Triller
Jake Paul (left) versus Ryan Bourland in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 2, 2024.REUTERS
Paul added that he’s not worried about sharing his game plan publicly.
“I don’t mind. Mike can have the game plan. I’m still going to win,” he said. “That’s how confident I am in my ability.”
Paul is coming off back-to-back knockouts against pro boxers and Golden Glove winners Ryan Bourland (March 2024) and Andre August (December 2023).
Tyson’s hasn’t fought since November 2020, when he faced Jones in an exhibition bout in Los Angeles, which marked his first professional fight in more than 15 years.
In a separate appearance on Fox, Tyson recently admitted that he’s nervous to get in the ring with Paul — but explained that fear is part of his success plan.
“I have a weird personality,” Tyson told Sean Hannity on April 3. “I don’t think it’s weird though. Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it. And that’s how it is. I was afraid of the Roy [Jones Jr.] fight [in 2020].
“I was 100 pounds overweight, I was however old, 54, 53, and I said ‘Let’s do it.’ Anything I’m afraid of, I confront it. And that’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.
“As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become because it’s reality and in reality, I’m invincible.”
“I always believed that adversity and nervousness pretty much catapulted me into success,” he said. “If I didn’t have these feelings, I wouldn’t go into this fight. I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never go in the ring.”
