No matter who wins on November 20, Paul could lose everything, warns former UFC heavyweight champion.
The upcoming fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has sparked immense anticipation among both experts and fans. While many are betting on a victory for the "Problem Child," UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has issued a stark warning: "Iron Mike" could be the one to end Paul's boxing career.
The hype surrounding the showdown between the legendary fighter and the influencer-turned-boxer guarantees that the November 15 event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will be a spectacle. Despite Tyson's legendary status, questions have arisen about his health and physical ability to face an opponent 30 years his junior.
At 58 years old and nearly two decades removed from his last professional fight, Tyson is far from his glory days. The bout was originally scheduled for July 20 but had to be postponed after Tyson suffered a flare-up of a stomach ulcer.
Amidst this scenario, Cormier warned that Paul might be the one with more to lose. The former UFC heavyweight champion explained that if Paul wins, Tyson's legacy will remain untarnished. But if Tyson wins, it could spell disaster for Paul's career.
Cormier: It's a lose-lose for Jake Paul
In a recent episode of the podcast "Funky and the Champ," commentator Joe Rogan suggested that, even at 58, Iron Mike is still capable of sending Paul's head "to another dimension."
Cormier partially agreed, saying, "I understand that, and I get what he's saying. And I do agree when he's hitting pads... it looks like there's still something left in there." However, he also pointed to Paul's fight against Mike Perry, who replaced Tyson in the postponed July bout.
"But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I watch Jake Paul get pressed to the point where he starts to feel uncomfortable, and it looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But then Jake has a reserve tank to draw from - he's 28 years old," Cormier said.
"That is my concern. Because what if this looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man, where Mike can't dig deep?" questioned the former UFC champion. "I think it's a lose-lose for Jake Paul because if you beat up Mike Tyson, everyone loves Mike Tyson," but what would happen if Mike wins, Cormier wondered.
Paul's career at risk
Cormier emphasized that Tyson doesn't need the money from this fight and wondered what would happen if the boxing icon managed to knock out Paul. "What if Mike knocks him out though? Then it's over. Everything's done. It would be an all-time backfire. Nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport."
Paul, who has a record of eight wins and one loss, has won four consecutive fights since his defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023. However, a loss to a 58-year-old Tyson could destroy the credibility he has been building by taking on more serious opponents rather than other influencers.
If Tyson wins, Paul could find himself back at square one, with no guarantee of bouncing back.
