- Tyson and Paul will go toe-to-toe at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15
- The fight was set to take place in July before Tyson had a medical emergency
- Clash will be the 58-year-old’s first officially sanctioned bout in two decades
Mike Tyson has denied that he is eating raw meat ahead of his clash against Jake Paul, contradicting claims he made earlier this year.
Tyson, 58, is due to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul – who is 31 years his junior – on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium. The fight was originally slated for July, only for Tyson to suffer a medical emergency on a plane. An ‘ulcer flare-up’ saw Tyson become nauseous and dizzy before paramedics later came on board.
Tyson, once considered ‘the baddest man on the planet’, is back in training for the rescheduled clash – his first sanctioned fight for two decades.
Ahead of the previously scheduled date in July, Tyson revealed that he was eating raw meat in preparation for the clash. ‘Raw meat. I have to eat it now because my opponent is going to be raw meat,’ he said when asked why he looked so good on the Damon Elliott Show.
However, the former heavyweight champion of the world walked back that claim in a recent sit down with Netflix.
‘I would never eat no damn raw meat.’ He replied when asked if he was still devouring uncooked meat. ‘My wife eats raw meat, but I don’t eat raw meat. The Japanese stuff, sushi’
On Friday reports surfaced suggesting that interest in the bout may be waning as it was revealed remaining tickets are being sold at a discounted price in a bid to fill out the arena.
As it stands, ticket sales are reportedly 40 per cent above the previous Texas record for combat sports – breaking Canelo’s $9million record – according to MVP.
Nevertheless, the promoters have decided to half the price of tickets to ensure as many boxing fans as possible are able to attend the event. Several Seat Geek tickets are going for $37 (£28), while the likes of StubHub are advertising their tickets for $52 (£40).
Ringside tickets, however, have not been slashed – costing around $10,000 (£7,749) per seat for an up close and personal view.
Meanwhile, the Box Office ringside seats are going for $50,000 a pop – offering fans: ‘Ringside Club Hospitality on Fight Night including top-shelf open bar and all-inclusive food.’
Fans will also get a post-fight opportunity in the ring and a boxing glove signed by both Paul and Tyson as well as VIP Seating and Lounge for ancillary Fight Week Events (i.e., Press Conference, Workout, Weigh-In).
As a result, Paul vs Tyson has become the highest average ticket price in Texas combat sports history for boxing and MMA.
Paul is confident he can put on a show for the fans and insists he has what it takes to beat the former heavyweight world champion.
Ahead of the bout, Paul explained exactly how he was planning to get one over on Iron Mike – claiming he will box on the outside and use his footwork.
Paul said: ‘I’ll box on the outside and then use my footwork to be more agile and get him chasing me and then attack him when he’s out of position. That should frustrate him.’
