Mike Tyson lost to Jake Paul in his comeback fight (Picture: Getty)
Mike Tyson made light of the concern boxing fans felt for him during his comprehensive defeat at the hands of Jake Paul.
The ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’, making his competitive comeback at the grand old age of 58 captured the imagination of fight fans by daring to get back in the ring after such a long period of inactivity.
Almost inevitably, however, he was outboxed by his younger, fitter, leaner opponent as Paul eased to a one-sided win on points.
Although he avoided the ignominy of a knockout defeat and survived eight rounds, Tyson sparked fears for this health and safety throughout the contest, biting down on his gloves every time Paul registered with one of the many telling punches he landed.
Asked by Netflix compare Ariel Helwani in the ring after the fight, why he habitually chomped down on his gloves, Tyson quipped: ‘That was a habit of mine, biting my glove when I fight. I have a biting fixation.’
Pundit Roy Jones Jr, who Tyson fought in an exhibition match three years ago, made regular references to the knee sleeve Iron Mike wore during the bout and was concerned about his lack of mobility.
Tyson, however, refused to use injury as an excuse for a defeat that will go down on his professional record, adding: ‘Yeah [I had a knee injury], but I can’t use that for an excuse.’
Jake Paul comprehensively won his fight against Mike Tyson (Picture: Getty)
Mike Tyson had no answer to his younger, fitter opponent(Credits: AP)
Asked whether he would consider fighting again, meanwhile, an exhausted Tyson added: ‘I don’t know, it depends on the situation. I don’t think so, maybe his brother [Logan].
‘I am happy. I knew he was a good fighter. I knew he was prepared.
‘I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I am just happy with what I can do.’
For Paul, attention will turn to his next opponent with a fight against Mexico’s boxing icon Canelo Alvarez a distinct possibility.
The 27-year-old, for right or wrong, is now one of the biggest draws in the sport and did at least take time to pay tribute to his beaten opponent following the animosity that preceded the fight.
He said: ‘Mike Tyson, it’s such an honour. Let’s give it up for Mike, the greatest to ever do it. We wouldn’t be here without him today with him, this man is an icon. It’s just an honour to be able to fight him. It was really tough fight. I expected it to be.”
‘He was exactly what I thought. One of the greatest to ever do it. An icon.’
‘I was trying to hurt him a little bit. I was scared he was going to hurt me. I did my best.’