Mike Tyson has initiated a countdown to his fight with Jake Paul after the influencer knocked out Mike Perry.
Paul was in action last night, drafting in ex-MMA fighter Perry as a late replacement for Tyson, who was forced to withdraw from the scheduled date.
Paul stopped Perry in emphatic fashionCredit: Esther Lin / MVP
The ‘Problem Child’ knocked out ‘Platinum’ in the sixth round and made a huge statement to set up his clash with Tyson which will now take place on November 15.
And Tyson has sent a chilling message to Paul raising his and fans’ anticipation for the event.
He tweeted: “Countdown begins.
“118 days. 16 weeks and 6 days. 17 weekends. 2,832 hours. 169,920 minutes. 10,195,200 seconds”Clock Starts Now. #TysonPaul #TheClockIsTicking #JakesWake.”
There have been concerns that Tyson wouldn’t make the date due to his physical condition, having suffered an ‘ulcer flare up’ which ruled him out of training.
Footage has yet to emerge of the 58-year-old returning to the gym, but he will be hoping to get back in action.
Warnings have been issued to Tyson on several occasions regarding a full ring return in a sanctioned bout.
Tyson is preparing to face Paul
Tyson will return at the age of 58 despite concernsCredit: Getty
The legend suffers from sciatica and has even been seen using a walking stick, 16 years on from his professional retirement.
Nonetheless, he is clearly confident of pulling off a seismic feat and beating Paul.
And he has already lashed back at critics insisting he will get the job done and beat the 26-year-old.
He told Esquire: “Can I be honest? I don’t think he can hurt me. And I’m a glory junkie. I love people thinking about me all day.
“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.
“This is all I started fighting for – to get all this f***ing status. I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life, I know that.
“I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”
Paul has also received widespread criticism for accepting the fight, given he is in his physical prime.
It will be a huge event which will generate sizeable revenue, but could pose a dangerous end to the legacy of Tyson.