JAKE PAUL admitted he is struggling to run after going up to heavyweight – as Mike Tyson called him “FAT”.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer and heavyweight icon are to collide in a controversial clash on July 20 in Texas.
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Not only will it mark Netflix’s first move into live boxing but it will also be Paul’s first fight at heavyweight.
As a result, the American has enjoyed feasting on bigger meals in training but it has come at the cost of feeling cumbersome.
Paul, 27, told TMZ Sports: “There is definitely slightly more power but I think the biggest thing is the inside fighting and clinches and not getting pushed around by some of these heavyweights.
“Definitely when I’m jogging I’m so much slower. I feel like a rhino or something, it’s definitely a lot harder to jog.
“Everything has been good but it’s been a little transition moving to heavyweight.
“I definitely needed to put on weight so that I’m able to compete with Mike Tyson and so that he’s not able to throw me around in the ring. We’ve been sparring heavyweights and eating more food.
“Mike Tyson has called me fat but I believe fat will turn into muscle and come fight night I believe I will be able to move and dance around the ring like a true heavyweight.”
The lightest the Paul has weighed as a fighter is 183.6lb (13st 1lb) but his last two bouts have been at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb.
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He was walking around at 230lb (16st 4lb) when he came face-to-face with Tyson at a press conference.
And Iron Mike later quipped: “I don’t know if he’s in his prime, he’s fat.
“He should be lean and mean, he’s fat and funky. I saw him with his shirt off the other day, he’s fat!”
Paul has lost only once in his ten bouts, a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 25, last year but he has won three since.
Meanwhile Tyson officially retired in 2005 following consecutive defeats but did return in 2020 for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.
And now he will prepare to put his illustrious record on the line with his fight against Paul a pro sanctioned bout.
Tyson – who will be 58 by the time of the fight – had a request to make it two-minute rounds accepted opposed to the regular three.
It will also be contested over eight rounds and bigger 14oz gloves instead of the normal 10oz.
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