Mike Tyson is all set to go up against Jake Paul on July 20, 2024. However, the one question that’s perhaps lingering in everyone’s mind is ‘why’? Why is a legend like Tyson going up against Paul, who has only fought 10 times in his boxing career?

Not to mention, Tyson would’ve turned 58 by the time he gets in the ring with Paul. Everyone’s guessing the ‘why’ in this scenario. Why is Tyson moving forward with it? Some believe it’s the money, and it’s big money, too. But a UFC insider has other thoughts.

Josh Thomson believes it’s not about the money

UFC and Strikeforce veteran Josh Thomson is often updated on the happenings of combat sports and gives insightful takes. However, the one thing that still eludes him is the true motivation that drove Mike Tyson to accept Jake Paul’s challenge. Recently, in an episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo predicted that Tyson was easily being paid about $20 million for this matchup.

Expressing his thoughts about Mike Tyson’s decision to say yes, Cejudo said, “You know what I respect: Uncle Mike… But it obviously takes two to tango. And I feel like there is probably a really good payday for Mike. He’s probably gonna wind up making close to about 20 million as he’s about to turn 58 years old.” However, Josh Thomson doesn’t think along the same lines.

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“What are you looking to accomplish outside of just money,” Thomson introspected on the Weighing In podcast. In the prospect that Jake Paul does beat Mike Tyson, Thomson said the 27-year-old wouldn’t have really beat the legend—at least not Prime Mike Tyson. Per the UFC veteran, for Paul, “It’s a respect thing. Learn how to respect the people that came before you, and this is just blatant disrespect.” While Paul may be chasing the prospect of beating Tyson, Thomson isn’t so sure about the 57-year-old’s motivation.

He continued, “The fact that Mike just entertained this, I want to know why. I don’t understand why. I mean, I don’t think it’s a money thing. I don’t think it’s that, you know. But why? I don’t get it. There’s nothing, there’s nothing to gain from this.” The fight is going to be streamed on Netflix. Considering how many people will tune into this fight, they will undoubtedly get significant purses.

In light of this, perhaps the speculation that it’s for the money isn’t so wrong after all. ‘Iron’ Mike has already left a rich legacy behind him in the sport. He’s had a storied career. Fighting Jake Paul would surely mean big things at this age, but is it worth it? From the looks of it, Tyson is preparing like it means the whole wide world.

Henry Cejudo reveals Mike Tyson’s discipline

Mike Tyson didn’t become a legend by taking it easy. He trained hard every single day, infamously doing 2000 squats in his prime that once led to his back getting injured. Cejudo told his co-host Kamaru Usman that Tyson and his training are as serious as they get.

“Kamaru, like this dude’s disciplined. He’s almost like us, you know. He gets moody when he’s in fight camp,” he said. “He stops smoking, or he doesn’t smoke as much, you know. He starts to eat clean he runs every day [at] five in the morning.”

Henry Cejudo was with Mike Tyson as he was preparing for his most recent fight against Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a split draw. Being a former champion and a coach to other champions, Cejudo can spot a champion’s mindset as soon as he sees someone. Further, Tyson has been sharing snippets of his training, especially flurries of boxing combinations and intense conditioning, on his social media.

Suffice it to say that the senior is covering all the bases before he steps into the ring against the junior. What will come off this Jake Paul bout? Let us know your predictions.

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