UFC icon Chuck Liddell is backing Mike Tyson to iron out Jake Paul when they meet in the ring.
Tyson and Paul are set to square off on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of NFL side Dallas Cowboys.
The fight, set to be broadcast on Netflix, has been met with widespread outrage from boxing fans due to the startling 31-year age gap between the pair.
In his heyday, Tyson was one of the most feared boxers of his era, with an extraordinary knockout record and was an undisputed heavyweight champion when there were only three recognised belts.
At 20 years old, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he beat Trevor Berbick and has shared the ring with Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield en route to being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
However, age catches up with everyone and it is no different for ‘Iron Mike’.
Only a year and a half ago he was videoed walking with the support of a cane while a month later he was using a wheelchair to get around.
Yet despite serious concerns about Tyson’s condition, Liddell, a former long-reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, insists the boxing legend only needs one shot to shut off Paul’s lights.
“As soon as Tyson hits him, it’s over,” Liddell told TMZ. “The last thing to go is power.
“If he hits him, it’s over. If you’ve seen Mike, he still hits.”
Liddell then sent an eerie warning to ‘The Problem Child’: “Hey Jake, keep covered up, man.”
It is currently unclear whether Paul vs Tyson will be an exhibition bout or a professional contest, though the two will not wear headguards.
Jake Paul posts video of his stunned reaction to Mike Tyson training footage ahead of their fight on Netflix
According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, organisers are trying to get it sanctioned as a professional bout under the auspices of the Texas Boxing Commission.
However, it seems unlikely any reputable governing body would put its name to the event.
There have been no updates on the number of rounds nor the weight they will be competing at.
Paul has mostly competed at cruiserweight (200lb) while Tyson weighed in at 220.4lb for his last exhibition bout against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
