Mike Tyson will fight Jake Paul in a professional bout, which has concerned British cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe.
Tyson announced his comeback against Paul on July 20, which was expected to be in an exhibition format, but it was confirmed that the fight will now take place under sanctioned professional rules.
There is a record-breaking 31-year age gap between the pair, with ‘Iron Mike’ set to step back in the ring aged 58, which has seen him receive medical warnings from doctors.
The ‘Midnight Train’ who will face Chris Billam-Smith in a cruiserweight world title tilt on June 15, believes it could be a sad result for Tyson if he is beaten by Paul.
“He is definitely in danger and I think it is sad to see as a boxing fan,” Riakporhe told talkSPORT.com.
“I fight and I don’t want to see a fellow boxer at that age, at 58, I just think he has had his time.
“I think he is done and should stay that way, but people will do what they want to do at the end of the day.
“I feel like it is just dangerous, and the idea of a YouTube boxer beating Mike Tyson is not a nice feeling for me.
“He could have that on his record and it is not nice as a boxing fan because we see Mike Tyson as a legend.”
Tyson’s career as a professional ended in 2005 after three defeats in his last four fights, including against Kevin McBride in his final fight.
The heavyweight icon has fought just once since then in an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020, a more evenly matched clash than in his upcoming exploit.
Despite concerns, Tyson has been training and has showed off trademark bursts of power on the pads with trainer Rafael Cordeiro.
Fans have reacted in a mixed mindset to his footage, with some suggesting the pair should cancel the fight altogether.
Tyson and Paul are set to earn big for the event which will be set in front of 80,000 fans, a key motivation for their participation.
But in a bizarre pre-fight admission, Tyson claimed he remains ‘scared to death’ every time he competes including again this summer.
“I have a weird personality – I don’t think it’s weird though. Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it. That’s how it is,” Tyson told Fox News.
“I was afraid of the Roy [Jones] fight. 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. 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.”
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News Summary:
- ‘He is in danger’ – Mike Tyson urged to remain ‘done’ amid fears over Jake Paul professional fight
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