Tyson Fury has backed fellow former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in his boxing match vs Jake Paul and voiced his excitement at seeing the fighter known as Iron Mike in the ring again.
Briton Fury, who was named after Tyson by his father, John, responded to footage shared by the 58-year-old showing him smashing pads and roaring during training sessions.
“Can’t wait to see the living legend with boxing gloves on again,” Fury said on Instagram, where he has more than seven million followers.
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Mike Tyson Instagram post
Boxing icon Tyson has said he is counting down to his fight with Paul, which was rescheduled from July because of complications he suffered relating to an ulcer and will now take place at Texas’ AT&T Stadium on November 15.
Tyson has not fought in an official bout since 2003, while rookie Paul – better known as a social media personality – has tended to face faded athletes from sports outside of boxing.
The veteran is 31 years Paul’s junior and was undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, as well as briefly being a WBA and WBC titlist in 1996.
“If you think I’m too old for this fight, you need to come and tell me to my face,” Tyson says in the clips.
“He’s going to be running around but, as soon as I catch this guy, it’s going to be totally over.
“All the other guys he fought weren’t apprehensive or afraid of him. I’m apprehensive and scared, so I’m totally different to them.”
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Paul vs Tyson
Paul taunted Tyson and his New York crowd at a press conference the pair held earlier this month.
“My fans know I don’t want to face ‘Iron Mike’ at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake: when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish,” Paul said after the postponement in May.
“Paul vs Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime match-up.”
