JOE ROGAN has raised fears about Mike Tyson potentially DYING in his controversial clash with Jake Paul.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion will lock horns with the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a shock Texas tussle on July 20.
Boxing fans were up in arms after the fight was announced due to the MASSIVE age difference between the pair.
Tyson, 57, will be 31 YEARS Paul’s senior when they share the ring with one another.
And prior to the official confirmation of the bout, Rogan expressed concerns about the worst-case scenario potentially coming to fruition.
During a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, he said: “It’s not necessarily carved in stone yet, they might not approve it.
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“If a lot of people protest, they won’t approve it. The thing is, if Tyson dies. See if you have something like that [happen].”
Despite having serious concerns about Tyson’s wellbeing, Rogan isn’t ruling out the possibility of ‘Iron Mike’ rolling back the years and knocking Paul out cold.
The UFC commentator said: “If he’s physically capable of recapturing 70 per cent of what he used to do.
“Just dealing with that 90 per cent of the power [will be a problem for Paul.”
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“70 per cent of the physical ability and 90 per cent of the power.
“Because the power is not gone, you see it when he hits the bag. The power is there 100 per cent.
“But he’s had a bunch of back issues, he had a real bad sciatica and he was walking with a cane.
“But who knows what they’ve done [with stem cells]. I’m sure he’s with the right people.
“Even at 57, you can make a lot of money if Mike Tyson is fit and in shape. Which is so crazy to say.”
It was suggested that Tyson and Paul’s clash could be an exhibition match in which both combatants would wear headgear.
But the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has stunningly decided to sanction the bout as a professional fight – albeit with eight two-minute rounds.
A statement from Paul’s manager Nikisa Bidarian read: “Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome.
“Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) to sanction Paul vs. Tyson.
“And we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.”
Fan favourite Tyson returned to the ring in November 2020 for a Covid clash with fellow great Roy Jones Jr.
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But the once-ferocious and deadly puncher looked a shell of himself, shuffling around the ring for eight two-minute rounds.
Paul, 27, was last in action last December, scoring a viral first-round KO of journeyman Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
