Anthony Joshua has admitted that Mike Tyson is in his prayers ahead of the former heavyweight champion’s blockbuster bout with Jake Paul.
The long-awaited battle, which has divided opinion in the boxing community, will finally take place at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday night.
Paul and Tyson were due to square off in July, but the former two-time world champion had to pull out due to an ulcer, causing the event to be pushed back.
The 58-year-old’s health scare, paired with the 31-year age gap between the fighters, has been a cause for concern for boxing fans and experts alike.
Two-time heavyweight champion Joshua has similar worries for Tyson and believes that Paul’s age will make the difference on fight night.
Anthony Joshua has admitted he is praying for Mike Tyson to come out of fight ‘healthily’
Tyson, 58, takes on social media sensation Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday
Concerns about Tyson’s age have been raised but he showed off his ripped body on Tuesday
‘He’s [Mike Tyson] older now, I pray that he comes out healthy,’ said Joshua. ‘I think Jake Paul because of youth—that’s the only thing.’
Iron Mike’s bout with social media star Paul has faced much criticism and scrutiny since its birth, with some dubbing it the weirdest fight in boxing.
Tyson has not fought professionally since his loss to Kevin McBride back in 2005, with his last win coming two years prior.
Meanwhile, Paul only made his debut in 2020, the same year that Tyson fought Roy Jones Jnr in an exhibition match and 18 years after the legend’s last title fight.
However, despite the chasm in age, not everybody shares Joshua’s concerns about the fight.
In fact, Tyson Fury doesn’t believe age will have an impact on the brutal punching power of the fighter formerly known as ‘Kid Dynamite’.
Speaking to the MMA Hour, Fury said: ‘If Mike Tyson hits anybody, I don’t care if he’s 90, he’s going to knock them out cold isn’t he? He’s Iron Mike Tyson, the baddest man on the planet.
‘Jake Paul is very experienced now and he’s had a lot of fights but obviously, I have to back Mike Tyson for the knockout as he always backs me.’
Tyson Fury is not so worried about the age affecting Iron Mike’s incredible punching power
Tyson looked ferocious during open workouts as he displayed his power in its full capacity
Tyson’s knockout power was displayed in its full thunderous capacity during Tuesday night’s open workouts in Dallas.
He showed off his infamous left hook as he ferociously backed his trainer into a corner of the ring with regularity.
There were even occasions where Tyson was so focused on displaying his destructive shots, that he threw combinations that his coach was not expecting.
Nevertheless, fans both in the arena and watching online, were left in awe of the once undisputed heavyweight champion, and it in turn has eased some concerns over his health and fitness.