MIKE TYSON could be pulled from his upcoming clash with Jake Paul – and a former world champion is ready to replace him.
‘Iron Mike’ is set to throw down with the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a controversial crossover clash in July at the ripe old age of 58.
But the boxing legend could be pulled from the Texas tussle should he fail additional pre-fight medicals.
And former WBC super-middleweight king Sakio Bika is willing to step in and replace ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ should he be deemed unfit to compete.
He told World Boxing News: “At the moment, I am staying in shape and ready if the right offer comes my way.
“I have reached the top of the sport, becoming a multiple-time world champion and winning the prestigious Contender series.
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“I have nothing more to prove to anyone, but I would like to have one more big fight.
“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.
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“I can fight Jake Paul at any weight he wants.”
Tyson could be removed from his fight with Paul if he doesn’t submit favourable electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (EKG) results in the pre-fight screenings required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The TLDR may also subject him to “additional testing” if they deem it necessary.
Tyson retired from boxing in 2005 following back-to-back losses to Brit Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.
The former undisputed heavyweight king returned to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr.
Tyson has faced some of the most fearsome fighters to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves but admits he’s “scared to death” about his upcoming ring return.
He told FoxNews: “I have a weird personality – I don’t think it’s weird though.
“Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it. That’s how it is. I was afraid of the Roy fight.
“I was 100lbs overweight, I was however old, 54, 53, and I said, ‘Let’s do it.’
“Anything I’m afraid of, I confront it. That’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.
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“I always believed that adversity and nervousness pretty much catapulted me into success.
“If I didn’t have these feelings, I wouldn’t go into this fight. I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never go in the ring.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
