Jake Paul’s callout of Mike Tyson, after defeating Mike Perry with a TKO, focused all eyes on the former WBA heavyweight champion of the world. Needless to say, Paul was greatly criticized for calling out someone who was well beyond his prime. Back in his heyday, Tyson extracted nothing but admiration and fear from his opponents. While the admiration is still there for the ‘Baddest Man On The Planet’, the intimidation factor has significantly reduced with his age. 

Weighing in on this, Joe Rogan swooped in to reveal how he judges the fighters. After all, the fighting prowess is inversely proportional to the growing age. Let’s see what the UFC color commentator had to say.

Joe Rogan drops a bombshell about Mike Tyson’s prime

On episode #2176 of the Joe Rogan Experience, the 56-year-old sat down together with fellow stand-up comedian and podcaster, Chad Daniels. Without a doubt, their conversation involved talks about Mike Tyson. Like many in the world of martial arts, Rogan also believed that Tyson was the best heavyweight boxer in history. But there’s a catch. It was only during the short period of time when he was in his prime.

After Daniels revealed the hilarious story of why he was late to a couple of his shows and put the blame on Tyson’s greatest hits, Rogan put forth his opinion. He believed that ‘Iron Mike’ was a phenomenon between 1986 and 1990. Without a doubt, Tyson was an unstoppable force in that time, till he faced Buster Douglas on the 11th of February, 1990. 

The beloved UFC color commentator said, “I think he was the greatest of all time for a short period of time, but I think you have to look at a fighter in particular. They can’t keep it up forever. It’s too crazy. They only have a few years in this like high revolution, high rev, red line prime. And that’s what I try to judge them on. People judge fighters on longevity.” 

When Paul was getting ready to fight Tyson, the former champ’s ulcer flared up, forcing him to pull out of the bout. This was proof enough to show that Rogan wasn’t wrong. But do you know what made Tyson such a formidable boxer? If you don’t, rest assured. Rogan got that covered, as well. 

What turned Tyson into the heavyweight G.O.A.T.?

As the conversation between Rogan and Daniels continued, the JRE host began talking about the factors that made Tyson into the phenom that he was back in his heyday. He started with Tyson’s childhood. Growing up in one of the toughest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Brooklyn played a major role in strengthening the boxer. Howbeit, his champion mindset came from the man who adopted Tyson.

Rogan pointed out that Cus D’Amato, one of the greatest boxing minds, was the reason why Tyson became a champion. He said, “So age 13 on, he’s hypnotizing Mike and telling Mike he’s the greatest of all time. He’s the greatest of all time. He’s gonna be the greatest heavyweight the world has ever seen.”

Now, as Jake Paul called Tyson out for a fight, the entire fighting community stood wary of the former champ’s health. Do you think Tyson will take up the fight despite his age and medical issues? What would have been the outcome had a prime Mike Tyson faced ‘The Problem Child’? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.