Boxing star Arslanbek Makhmudov has warned about his health ahead of his showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer next month.
Tyson - who will be 58 when he steps foot in the ring in four weeks time - hasn't fought a professional bout since retiring from the sport nearly two decades ago. The former heavyweight champion hung up his gloves after losing to Irishman in 2005. However, he did step back in the ring for an exhibition bout with four years ago.
The clash between the two stars is scheduled to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, in front of up to 90,000 fans, with the purse .
As for 'The Problem Child,' the 27-year-old has fought the likes of Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz since making his professional debut in 2020. With a professional record of 10-1, his only defeat in the sport of came last year.
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Many people have criticised the decision to go ahead with the contest especially after Tyson was back in July after suffering an ulcer flare up. Another man who has slammed the fight is Makhmudov. The Russian is a heavyweight boxer himself, with a professional record of 19-2, and knows what it's like to get hit by the big boys.
Makhmudov recently shared his views on the controversial fight to and has pleaded with Tyson to stay out of the ring and not risk his health. “To be honest, I don’t like to see this fight happening,'' he said. "Mike Tyson, for us, is a legend. The legend should stay the legend. I hope he gets out of the fight healthy, of course, but I don’t want him to be remembered for this version of him.”
The 35-year-old was then asked whether he believes boxers can compete at the age of 58, with Makhmudov responding: “Of course, I believe that people should train no matter what their age is. It would be best if you stayed healthy. But there’s a difference between training and competing in professional boxing.
“Our sport is really dangerous, and getting punched in the head isn’t healthy, even more so as you’re getting older and certainly not at 58 years old. I don’t know much about Jake Paul, but he seems to have some good boxing skills, so punching power and age is on his side. It’s a lot already, so, of course, I think he’s got a chance.”
Boxing fans believe that 'Iron Mike' is not taking the fight seriously after a staggering admission. During a recent chat with Jimmy Kimmel, the 58-year-old claimed he was training six hours a day. "I am training extremely hard, I do six hours a day. I start at 11am and might leave the gym at 5pm," he said. Kimmel looked stunned and replied: "Oh no. 11am? So that's six hours straight, or is there a lunch break?" The former heavyweight champion admitted there was a small break as a shocked Kimmel gasped: "Oh no."
In the same interview, when Tyson was asked if he intends to be high during his bout with Paul, he replied: “I’m going to be so high off life, yeah." Kimmel then asked: “Will you be high on marijuana, as well?" Tyson replied: "That’s a possibility, too." The host then commented: "Oh no my bet is getting lower as we talk."
