Mike Tyson will be challenged or vindicated in a few weeks as a documentary will uncover the secrecy surrounding his training sessions.
The former heavyweight champion faced questions about his ability after releasing explosive video clips lasting a few seconds. Many combat stars, including Michael Bisping and Paulie Malignaggi, have wondered if Tyson has something to hide at 58.
The announcement that Netflix will air a countdown show for his clash with Jake Paul in November gives viewers a solid date when they can make their minds up. The first two episodes of a three-part documentary series with intimate access to fighters will premiere on November 7. This series will finally validate either the naysayers or those championing Tyson’s return at almost sixty.
According to Netflix, “The documentary series will take viewers behind the scenes of Paul and Tyson’s respective training camps. The series captures the incredible grit, determination, and physical demands needed to prepare for what will be an explosive, can’t-miss professional boxing mega-event.”
They add, “Fans will gain a fresh perspective to the unprecedented match-up through interviews with those closest to the fighters and raw, unfiltered moments with family and friends.”
Mike Tyson training
That perspective could damage the event if the reaction to Tyson isn’t positive. However, this may not totally affect whether the fight goes ahead. In 2021, Evander Holyfield returned at 58 and labored through a full media workout in front of the glare of anyone who wanted to watch.
Despite not looking anywhere near his best, Holyfield was still allowed to walk to the gallows against Vitor Belfort. The inevitable happened. Holyfield never made it through the first round.
If Tyson looks poor on November 7, it’s doubtful that anything will stop the event from going ahead.
Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, Tyson assured his fans and detractors that he was training six hours daily.
“Listen, I’m 60 years old, and he’s 27,” Tyson told Kimmel. “So I don’t know [how it’s going to go]. The closer it gets to the fight, the less nervous I get.
“I’m training extremely hard. I start at 11 in the morning, and I might leave the gym at 5 pm. There’s a small break. After I finish my boxing, I get a massage for an hour, but then I go right into strength and conditioning.”
The Netflix countdown show follows Tyson and Paul as they prepare for Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions’ [MVP] highly-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson heavyweight boxing mega-event, airing live on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
