MIKE TYSON warned he is no Mr Nice Guy and needs just a fraction of his brutal best to defeat Jake Paul.
The heavyweight great returns to the ring on November 15 for a controversial clash against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
GettyMike Tyson during his prime in 1989[/caption]
GettyNow he returns to fight Jake Paul[/caption]
It will be almost 20 YEARS removed from his last professional bout – the night he quit on his stool against tree surgeon Kevin McBride.
Even then aged 38, it was clear to see Iron Mike’s days as the Baddest Man on The Planet were far behind him.
And now at 58 there are huge fears for Tyson’s safety stepping into the ring with an opponent 30 years his junior.
But Iron Mike insists if he can draw on just 10 per cent of his prime then it will be enough to beat 10-1 Paul – who turned pro only four year ago.
Tyson said: “When you think about it regardless of how old I am, this guy only has ten fights.
“He only has 10 fights, if I can fight a little bit with my experience, he only has 10 f***ing fights, okay?
“If I can fight 10 per cent of what I was, he only has ten fights, he couldn’t match that.
“And that’s being sincere. If I’m 10 per cent, he can’t match it.”
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The already slammed showdown faced further scrutiny when Tyson was forced to pull out of the initial July 20 date due to a health precaution.
He suffered an ulcer flare-up in his stomach mid-flight but has since been passed medically fit to resume training.
Tyson – aged 20 when he became boxing’s youngest heavyweight champion – will also have to undergo extra heart and brain tests due to his age.
But amid the safety concerns, he said: “I’m just doing really well. I’m doing really well.
“I’m very grateful that I’m doing well. I’m just looking forward to the fight, really looking forward to it.”
In the years since retirement, Tyson has gone broke, regained his wealth through various businesses and become a pop culture icon.
And the American – who spent three years in prison from 1992 for a rape conviction – has settled down in his third marriage.
But the super-dad, who has made millions through his cannabis empire, warned not to mistake his kindness for weakness.
He said: “There’s nothing nice about me. I’m not a nice person. No, I’m a decent person, I try to do the right thing but a nice person I am not.
“So anybody that has an auspice that I’m a nice person, they’re gonna be disappointed.
“I’m just not a nice person. I don’t make people happy for no reason. I’m just who I am. I’m not trying to gain friends.
“Basically what I’m saying, I don’t wanna make friends with you. I don’t care if you don’t put me on your boat or you let your yacht, I don’t give a f***.
“I’m not gonna ever be nice to nobody. I’ll be kind but never nice.”
Tyson lost some of his most destructive years out of the ring through a party lifestyle of drink, drugs and women.
But after finding love again with soulmate Lakiha Spicer and enjoying life as a doting dad-of-seven, Tyson became a champ outside of the ropes.
He said: “I have more responsibilities. My life is more, I don’t know, it’s more practical than it was before.
“I have kids. I have a wife, I have children. I have things to do.
“When I was a champion, I didn’t have things to do and nothing to do. Nothing of substance to do.
“Party drink, women, talk s*** and that was no substance back then.”
Tyson with son Morocco, far left, mother-in-law Rita Ali, wife Lakiha Spicer and daughter Milan, far rightGetty Images – Getty
GettyLakiha Spicer with Tyson in 2014[/caption]
RexTyson facing off with Jake Paul[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
