Joe Rogan has voiced concerns over the safety of Mike Tyson in his upcoming bout against Jake Paul, raising the alarming prospect of Tyson dying in the ring.
The clash between the former undisputed heavyweight champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Texas on July 20 has sparked controversy due to the significant age gap between the fighters.
Rogan, a UFC commentator, expressed serious reservations about Tyson’s well-being, particularly considering the massive 31-year age difference between Tyson and Paul.
Despite the concerns, Rogan acknowledged the possibility of Tyson displaying flashes of his former prowess and potentially knocking out Paul.
The possibility of Tyson and Paul’s bout being an exhibition match with headgear was suggested, but the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has decided to sanction it as a professional fight, albeit with eight two-minute rounds.
Paul’s manager, Nikisa Bidarian, confirmed the efforts to meet the requirements for the fight’s sanctioning and expressed gratitude for reaching this point.
Tyson returned to the ring in 2020 for a match against Roy Jones Jr., but his performance left many questioning his abilities. Paul, on the other hand, scored a viral first-round knockout in his last bout against Ryan Bourland in December.