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In less than three weeks, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will touch gloves at last inside AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The highly-anticipated bout marks Tyson's return to the ring for his first professional fight since 2005, and opinion is divided as to how the 58-year-old will compete against the 27-year-old Paul.
ittedly, Tyson has looked quick and sharp in training videos published in the buildup to this fight, which would have gone ahead in July if not for a medical emergency that Tyson endured in May. Still, there are plenty of fans and analysts who believe the youthful Paul -- a former YouTube and social media star who has vocally ed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump -- will ultimately prevail in Arlington, Texas.
Paul's glove "trick" will not work
Despite the 31-year age gap (or because of it), both Paul and Tyson will be looking for subtle, "clever" ways to gain an advantage anywhere they can once the fight commences. For Paul, the "Problem Child" has been told that a heavier glove will not make the difference against a boxer with Tyson's experience.
Paul and Tyson will be wearing 14-ounce gloves for their fight, in contrast to 8- or 10-ounce gloves usually used in pro boxing. Hall of Fame referee Richard Steele -- who, at 80 years old, has seen it all inside the ring -- does not think a glove with more padding and weight will benefit Paul.
"That's still a small glove thinking about the power of Mike Tyson," Steele told USA Today.
Steele believes Tyson remains "dangerous" and a powerful puncher, even after 19 years away from the ring. He is hopeful that Tyson does not hurt Paul -- and vice versa. Only time will tell as the Netflix-sponsored bout moves closer.
"With Mike Tyson, it's so dangerous even for the referee because you got to be close, but you got to be far away to be able to allow them to do their thing," Steele explained. "You had to be always aware of what's going on because one of Mike Tyson's punches could really hurt the other guy. And maybe he don't need to take the other punch."