Mike Tyson says he is “scared to death” ahead of a controversial ring return against Jake Paul at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on July 20. 

Influencer-turned professional boxer Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) caused controversy when announcing he would take to the ring against the ever-popular former heavyweight legend Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs), despite concerns regarding Tyson’s health being raised on social media and within the industry. 

When the pair step into the ring, Tyson will be 58-years-old, 29 years older than Paul (27), who last appeared on March 2 in Puerto Rico with a first-round stoppage of Ryan Bourland. 

The former heavyweight champion’s last appearance in the ring came in a 2020 exhibition against former multi-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr. 

Despite initial concerns regarding both fighters’ welfare due to their advanced ages, the fight was a commercial success as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold with restrictions placed on sporting and entertainment events. 

“Iron” Mike conceded that he is experiencing fearful thoughts ahead of the Paul encounter but believes they are due to his personality. He admitted having experienced the same mindset before his 2020 exhibition clash with Jones Jr. 

“I have a weird personality, I don’t think it’s weird though. Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it. That’s how it is,” Tyson told Fox News’s Sean Hannity on Tuesday night. “I was afraid of the Roy [Jones Jr. fight [in 2020]. 

“I was 100lbs overweight, I was however old, 54 or 53, and I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Anything I’m afraid of, I confront it. That’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.”

Tyson said that as his night with Paul draws closer, his nerves and fears will dissipate and transfer into a feeling of being “invincible.”

“As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become, because it’s [turns into] reality. And in reality, I’m invincible,” said Tyson.

Since his foray into boxing, Paul has caused controversy with his conduct, actions, and antics, along with the quality of opposition he has faced when he has taken to the ring. Despite Paul’s background as a social media influencer, Tyson concluded that the 27-year-old has come a long way and will aim to prove to Paul that he made a mistake in selecting the former heavyweight world champion as an opponent. 

“I saw a YouTube video of him at 16 doing weird dances. That’s not the guy I’m going to be fighting,” Tyson added. “This guy is going to come; he’s going to try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to, and he’s going to be greatly mistaken.”