Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul: Tyson’s health is ‘just good’ but there are precautions for the fight

Shortly before the interview at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, members of Tyson’s team politely asked the BBC Sport film crew to keep their distance from the two-time world champion and handed out face masks.

Tyson was worried that he might pick up any illnesses during fight week, they said.

There have been doubts about the legitimacy of this fight and whether Tyson – who is reportedly earning up to $20 million for his participation – will consider it a serious fight despite it being on his professional resume.

Tyson, once known as the “baddest man in the world,” is perhaps the most controversial figure in boxing history.

He is a former undisputed champion, but in 1992 Tyson was convicted of rape and served three years of a six-year prison sentence.

Tyson won 50 of his 56 competitions before retiring in 2005. At age 20, he became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history and, in 1987, became the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles.

He was clearly breathing heavily throughout the interview and, as usual, gave short answers.

“I think he’s a great person, but as a fighter I think he’s inferior,” were his thoughts on Paul.

But after the interview, Tyson completed his open workout in front of fans without any problems, moving and hitting with ease.

When asked what he thought about Paul comparing himself to legend Muhammad Ali or saying he could beat Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Tyson replied: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion.”

When Tyson was asked about his own preparations, he was committed.

“I’m in there with young people, 25 and 28 years old, heavyweights. They are not kind to me, my coaches are not kind to me,” he said.

“They let me know: ‘Do you really want to do this?’ They put me to the test and I think I passed the test because I did my last day of sparring and training, so I think I passed the test.”