Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Boxing, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson
Chris Byfield
A former world champion said he is willing to fight Jake Paul should Mike Tyson withdraw from the July 20 bout.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is set to take on former unified heavyweight champion Tyson at the AT&T Arena in Texas, with the fight set to be streamed on Netflix.
The bout has been the source of controversy due to a 30-year age gap between the fighters.
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Indeed, Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight is due to take place, and it has emerged that he will have to pass two tests in order to return to the ring because of his age.
As per USA Today, Iron Mike will be required to submit 'favourable results' from an electroencephalogram and an electrocardiogram, with the former used to evaluate brain disorders and the latter used to detect heart problems.
And speaking to World Boxing News, former WBC super middleweight champion Sakio Bika has offered to step in if Tyson is forced to withdraw from the contest.
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“At the moment, I am staying in shape and ready if the right offer comes my way," he said.
“I have reached the top of the sport, becoming a multiple-time world champion and winning the prestigious Contender series.
"I have nothing more to prove to anyone, but I would like to have one more big fight.
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"If someone like Jake Paul or his brother would really like to test himself against a recent world champion, I am always ready to fight.
“Mike Tyson is an all-time great boxer; he was a hero of mine growing up, and even though he looks in great shape, he is almost 60 years of age!
"If Jake Paul is serious about fighting a former champion, look for someone a lot younger or active within the last decade. I can fight Jake Paul at any weight he wants.”