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Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has stated that his choice to return to the boxing ring at the age of 57 was an easy decision, dubbing his decision a "no brainer,"  while dismissing recent objections suggesting he was too old for a comeback.

During a press conference held in New York to promote his upcoming match against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, Tyson acknowledged that the training for his return had been demanding. "I'm doing great but my body is s*** right now, I'm sore, I'm really sore," stated Tyson, who will take on Paul on 20 July at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

However, the fighter who dominated the heavyweight scene throughout the 1980s and 1990s, famously branding himself as the "baddest man on the planet," asserted that he harboured no doubts about returning to the ring, nearly two decades after his last professional bout in 2005. "It was a no-brainer," Tyson continued. 

"He's a new up-and-coming guy on the scene. And I like shaking the sports world to its core and I am doing it now. It's just something that I want to do." Turning 58 in June, Tyson will face off against the 27-year-old Paul in a professional match consisting of eight two-minute rounds, officially sanctioned by boxing authorities in Texas.

Despite some figures within the boxing world, such as former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, expressing apprehension about the bout and potential harm to Tyson, the veteran fighter brushed aside the critics when questioned about their concerns on Monday. "I'm beautiful, that's all I can say," Tyson added.


World-famed boxer Tyson revealed he has no qualms surrounding his return to the sport at the age of 57. GETTY IMAGES
World-famed boxer Tyson revealed he has no qualms surrounding his return to the sport at the age of 57. GETTY IMAGES


"The people who said that wish that they were up here. No one else can do this. I really like Jake a lot. But once he's in that ring, he has to fight like his life is depending on it, because it will be." Meanwhile, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul asserted his readiness to contend with Tyson's wealth of experience and formidable power.

"A lot of people are doubting me," he said. "I see the comments, saying, 'if Jake wins this fight it's rigged' because of how incredible he looks. Age doesn't matter. He's a killer. He's a warrior. He's been doing this his whole life so it's second nature to him. I've only been doing this for four years and at a super high level.

"On July 20, I'm going to show the world that I can outbox Mike Tyson and prove everyone wrong, and show that I'm going to be the one doing the killing," Paul added.