Boxing legend Mike Tyson is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for his highly anticipated bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. In a recent interview on “The Damon Elliott Show,” Tyson revealed a surprising element of his training regime: abstinence.
“Two and a half weeks, I haven’t smoked,” Tyson told Elliott, referring to giving up marijuana. But he didn’t stop there. “And I haven’t had sex for two and a half weeks.”
This news comes after the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations officially sanctioned the fight as a professional bout. Set for July 20th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the fight has generated significant buzz due to the vast difference in experience between the 57-year-old Tyson and the 26-year-old Paul.
While some might scoff at the inclusion of sexual abstinence in a training regimen, Tyson seems to be taking this fight very seriously. There have even been reports, in a separate interview with Forbes Life, that Tyson’s abstinence period might be even longer, stretching back six weeks.
“I’m living my life disciplined now, so I’m going to have to fight disciplined now,”
Tyson explained
The effectiveness of abstinence for athletic performance is a debated topic. Some trainers believe it can enhance focus and aggression, while others argue it’s a mental hurdle that can be counterproductive. In Tyson’s case, only time will tell if his commitment to celibacy will translate into ring dominance.
This fight isn’t without its fair share of skepticism. Tyson’s last professional fight was in 2005, and at 58 by fight night, concerns about his endurance and ring rust are valid. However, glimpses of his ferocious punching power have been evident in recent training videos, stirring excitement among some fans who believe Iron Mike might still have a bite left in him.
Jake Paul, on the other hand, boasts a 5-0 professional record with all his wins coming by knockout. Though lacking Tyson’s experience, Paul shouldn’t be underestimated. He has dedicated himself to boxing in recent years, training with experienced coaches and racking up wins against fellow YouTubers and MMA fighters.
The fight promises an intriguing clash of styles and generations. The explosive power of a boxing legend versus the technical precision of a young, hungry contender. Whether Tyson’s old-school methods, including his disclosed abstinence, will prove effective against Paul’s modern approach remains to be seen.
One thing’s for certain: the bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is guaranteed to be a spectacle that will have fight fans glued to their screens on July 20th.
