All right, folks, we are back, and I’ve just witnessed something that could change the entire dynamic of the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight this Friday. Today’s open workouts were nothing short of eye-opening, and if you’re Jake Paul, you might want to rethink your strategy. Mike Tyson, at 58 years old, showed us something that could be Jake’s worst nightmare when they step into the ring. Let’s break it all
Mike Tyson’s Surprising Movement and Power
First off, let’s talk about Tyson’s movement in the open workout. The big question going into this fight week was how much of the old Mike Tyson would we see? He’s 58 now, no longer the 25-year-old powerhouse who once ruled the boxing world. But after watching today’s session, it’s clear that Tyson still has some dangerous tools in his arsenal, and that could pose major problems for Jake.
We saw Tyson moving with impressive speed and fluidity—especially for a man his age. He was hitting the pads with force and precision, showcasing his signature jab, right hand, and left hook combinations. Tyson was moving laterally, cutting off the ring, and closing the distance with ease. In other words, he was still exhibiting that old-school Tyson aggression that made him so dangerous in his prime.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: Tyson’s camp believes Jake will try to box from the back foot. They expect Jake to try to move, jab, and keep Tyson at bay. And you can see why. Jake’s been training to outbox Tyson and use his reach and speed to stay away from the power shots. But if Tyson’s open workout is any indication, Jake might be in for a rude awakening.
Tyson’s Forward Pressure: A Nightmare for Jake Paul
What we saw from Tyson in these open workouts was him not chasing Jake around the ring. Instead, Tyson was cutting off the ring, keeping his opponent trapped, and landing those devastating shots. This is huge because Jake Paul has often relied on his ability to move and box from the outside. But Tyson, even at 58, hasn’t lost the ability to chase down his opponents and trap them in the corner.
Jake’s worst nightmare here is Tyson’s relentless forward pressure. Mike was throwing combinations—jab, right hand, left hook—with his head moving off the center line and angles changing in rapid succession. This forward pressure could be a serious problem for Jake, especially if he starts backing up too much. If Tyson gets him on the ropes, we’ve seen before how devastating Mike can be in those moments. Jake may have speed, but Tyson has experience, power, and that innate sense of when to strike.
The Opening Tyson’s Style Gives Jake Paul
Now, even though Tyson showed some serious skills in his workout, there were also some openings that Jake Paul can exploit. Tyson, while still quick, did stand square during his combinations at times—especially when he was hitting the pads. This is classic Mike Tyson; his peekaboo style often has him standing more square and relying on head movement to avoid incoming punches. However, when Tyson stays square, his head is a bit more exposed. If Jake can avoid getting trapped and use his jab to control distance, he might be able to land counters when Tyson is in that position.
Additionally, while Tyson was able to move well laterally, it wasn’t as fast as in his prime. There’s definitely a slight slowdown in his ability to close the distance in the way he used to. So, Jake’s best bet might be to use his jab and footwork to frustrate Tyson and make him chase. But that’s easier said than done, especially when Tyson is coming forward with such intensity.
Tyson’s Power: Still Dangerous at 58
Let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Tyson’s power. Even at 58, Tyson still packs a serious punch. The sound of his shots on the pads was brutal. The man is still able to crack with power, and his ability to throw combinations with that power is a serious threat. If Tyson lands one of those right hands clean, it could change the course of the fight, even if Jake is the more technically skilled boxer.
Tyson’s power hasn’t disappeared; it’s just been tempered by age. But in these workouts, we saw enough to know that Tyson’s punches will still be a nightmare for anyone standing in front of him. Jake will need to be very careful not to get caught in the pocket, especially when Tyson is coming forward.
Jake Paul’s Strategy: Outbox or Get Caught?
So, what does this mean for Jake Paul? From what we’ve seen from his camp, Jake is planning to box Tyson, keep him at a distance, and outpoint him. He’ll likely try to use his jab, lateral movement, and reach advantage to frustrate Tyson. If he can stick to this plan, avoid getting trapped, and land his shots while staying on the outside, he could find success. But here’s the problem: Tyson’s forward pressure and ability to cut off the ring could quickly erase that strategy.
Jake can’t afford to back up too much. If he’s on the retreat for too long, Tyson will corner him, and that’s where the danger lies. Jake’s best chance is to use his speed, move laterally, and avoid standing square in front of Tyson for too long. But if Tyson is able to back Jake into a corner, it could be game over.
Closing Thoughts: Jake’s Worst Nightmare?
After seeing Mike Tyson’s open workout, it’s clear that Jake Paul has a serious challenge on his hands. Tyson, at 58, may not be the same explosive fighter he once was, but the fundamentals of his style are still intact, and that could make him dangerous for Jake. Tyson’s power, aggression, and ring IQ are still very much alive, and Jake will have to be on his A-game to avoid getting caught.
Jake’s best chance of winning will be to use his footwork, jab, and speed to keep Tyson at a distance. But if he makes even the slightest mistake and gets trapped against the ropes, Tyson’s forward pressure and power could be his worst nightmare. It’s going to be an exciting fight, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Stay tuned, because this Friday night is going to be a battle of youth versus experience, and it could go either way.