Jake Paul reiterates respect for Mike Tyson but says he has 'to end him' during July fight-InfoExpress
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — YouTuber-turned prizefighter Jake Paul’s promotion of his summer fight with boxing legend Mike Tyson continued at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix on Sunday with some choice words.
"I love Mike. I’m super respectful of him. It’s an honor to be in the ring with him. But I have to end him," Paul said in front of the Ferrari garage at the Miami Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium.
Paul, 27, will fight Tyson, 57, on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match will be available on Netflix.
Paul said he appreciates how outspoken Tyson has been for him during his rising career, but they have a score to settle when they face each other in the ring.
"It’s war. All is fair in love and war. I love the guy, but as soon as it turned into a pro fight, one of us has to die," Paul told USA TODAY Sports.
Tyson has been one of the most outspoken figures in favor of Paul’s rise from YouTube star to viral boxing phenomenon.
During Paul’s Netflix documentary "Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child," Tyson said Paul "did more for boxing than some of the champions did."
"We got to keep this guy bright because he’s going to save boxing – as long as he continues to fight," Tyson said of Paul. "He got the light, you know what I mean? He’s touched. He got the light."
When asked about those comments, Paul responded: “I think all that still stands. He’s a legend. I love the guy. But at the end of the day, it’s war and you just have to go to war and put it all on the line.
"I still have the utmost respect for him, and I think he’ll say the same about me and what I’ve done for the sport."
