Mike Tyson: ‘Let’s F*cking Go’

Paul would have his turn and say, “This is the biggest fight of the 21^st century.” Paul looked relaxed and soaked in the moment as the kid in him realized that this fight with Tyson was real.

Here are the rest of the quotes from the four fighters involved in the event.

Jake Paul Quotes

On how hard it was to get Mike Tyson: Yeah no, he was game. I think he’s always wanted to do this. This has been a long time coming. We’ve been calling each other out for years and we finally got to make it happen on Netflix, the biggest platform in the world, and things just keep on getting bigger and better. The co-main event [Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano]… I mean this is quite literally history that we’re looking at right here. Mike wanted this. Mike wanted it to be a pro fight. He wants the war, and so I respect that. I respect him for taking this fight, for stepping up to try to put an end to me because that’s what all these fighters have been trying to do is end the YouTuber and if Mike can do that, then he’s a hero.

On how the deal came together with Netflix: Yeah, look, it is Most Valuable Promotions that have been changing the game since we came into the promotional business and we just continue to level up and do things differently and see gaps in the market that no one else has identified. We wanted to work with Netflix, they liked the idea and see the vision in what we’re building, what type of events we can put on. This is quite literally the biggest fight of the 21st century because of the fact that it’s Mike Tyson versus me, but also the fact that it’s in 700 million households on Netflix for free, for everyone who’s a subscriber to watch.

On those who doubt him: I’m going to show the world that I can outbox Mike Tyson, prove everyone wrong, and show that I will be the one doing the killing.

On the importance of it being a pro fight: After the contract was signed, we got a call from Mike’s team and they were like, ‘Hey, he wants it to be a pro fight for sure. He wants that. He wants to put it all on the line.’ I respect Mike for that and if he wanted it to be that, then let’s run it.

On taking on Mike Tyson’s power: I’m a natural born heavyweight. This is what I was born to do, to move up into this weight class. I’m going to show Mike who has more power because he’s underestimating me. I think everyone else is underestimating me and I believe that I hit harder. I know it’s going to be tough. I know I’m going to have to fight through adversity. I know I might even go to the canvas. I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not about the fear stopping me. It’s about going into it, even though I am scared. That’s what true bravery is.

On whether he can take a hit from Mike Tyson: Yeah, look, they call him Iron Mike Tyson, but I’m titanium Jake Paul.

Mike Tyson Quotes

On why he ultimately said yes to the fight: It was a no-brainer. He was a new up and coming guy on the scene, and I like shaking the sports world to its core and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.

On their age difference: I’m beautiful. That’s all I can say. (Crowd roars with laughter.)

On whether the goal is to end Paul: Once he’s in that ring, he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will be.

On the modified rules: I wanted the shorter rounds because I wanted more action. If we only have two minutes, we’ll fight more.

Katie Taylor Quotes

On whether we’re headed to a trilogy or putting the rivalry to bed: The trilogy is not on my mind right now. I beat her her the first time, and I plan on beating her the second time

On how the fight came together: Well, I just got a phone call from my manager Brian a few weeks ago saying I was going to be on the same card as Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. And this is just a dream for me. I think last year my family had said to me, what do you want to do before I retire? Is there anything I want to achieve in a sport or anybody who I’d want to meet? And one of the things I said is I’d love to meet Mike Tyson and here you beside me, an icon of the sport, a legend of the sport. And this is just incredible.

On being on the same card as Mike Tyson: He’s just a legend and icon on the sport. And I fell in love with a sport in the nineties and Mike Tyson was the biggest name of boxing during that time. He was ferocious and is super exciting to watch and he’s a real historian as well. I love your knowledge of boxing. I love listening…. I just cannot believe I’m sitting next to Mike Tyson right now. I’m pinching myself.

On fighting at 140 pounds: Yeah, I feel really good at this weight….lots of women fighters do go up and down the weights, and so I do feel very, very strong this way. The last fight myself and Amanda fought, it was an epic fight. It was an iconic fight. It was in front of 20,000 people in Madison Square Garden. It felt like the whole of Puerto Rico and Ireland were there on the stage during that night and now we get to do it again in front of 100,000 people. This is amazing for the sport live on Netflix. Just thank you so much to MVP for giving us this opportunity. This is absolutely iconic.

On advice she has for women that want to learn how to box: Just go for it. I think they’re the hardest step. Sometimes just a first step into a boxing gym. It can be intimidating to step inside the boxing gym. It takes a lot of courage. So the first step is always the hardest. So just go over it and don’t let anybody out work in the gym.

Amanda Serrano Quotes

On getting a chance to avenge her loss to Katie: I think it was always going to happen because Katie and my name are always going to be attached to each other no matter what, and I’m glad to be a part of this to be alongside Katie Taylor. She’s a great champion, but we’re going to go out there and prove to the world that we deserve this platform.

On moving up to the super lightweight class: Listen, everyone knows I’m the unified featherweight champion. I’ve said it many times, anything over that [weight], it’s hard for me. Obviously [at] 135, I [didn’t get the win against Katie], but for the opportunity to fight Katie Taylor [again], I took the fight [at] 140. Her team said, ‘you’ve got to do it at 140’. I really want the fight. The fight is for the fans, so greatness requires sacrifice. So once again, I’m sacrificing my body. I’m sacrificing everything to go up three divisions. The last time was two divisions. I believe I won. I heard Katie, I think going up another division, I can do the same thing. My power was going to come with me and this is a great opportunity for both of us and it is what it is. I just got to eat more. I’m a Latina, so I get to eat a lot more rice.

On what she’s bringing to the ring on Saturday, July 20: [I’m going] to go out there and give it my all. I got training. It’s a little different. I’m training smarter, not harder, and I’m going out there being vintage.

On a possible trilogy vs. Katie: I mean, we’ll see that night if Katie wants it. I don’t know. We’ll see. I’m just concentrating on this fight, concentrating on making the 140 and going out there and giving it my all.

On recovery from her March eye injury and what she’s looking forward to: I’m one hundred percent fine. It was the eyelid; it wasn’t in the eyeball, so I’m completely fine. I’m good and ready to go on July 20th. I want to thank everybody at MVP, my trainer, Jordan Maldonado, Netflix, everybody, even Katie Taylor’s team for making this happen. I’m super excited. We’re going to be fighting in Jerry’s world, so I’m excited and I can’t wait till July 20th. I’ll become a two division undisputed champion. What can I say?