Jake Paul’s girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, admits Mike Tyson possesses enough power to knock out her boyfriend.
‘The Problem Child’ is gearing up to square off against Tyson on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, live on Netflix.
Providing everything goes to plan against ‘Iron Mike’, Paul is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his speedskater girlfriend by becoming a world champion in his respective sport.
Leerdam, who represents the Netherlands on the international stage, has won six gold medals across the World Sprint Championships and World Single Distances Championships.
She is also an Olympic silver medallist having come second in the women’s 1,000m event at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
As for Paul, he has set himself the lofty ambition of challenging for a cruiserweight world title by the end of 2025.
It is an incredibly tall ask for the YouTuber given he has not fought a ranked opponent in his professional boxing career.
However, Leerdam pointed to the rapid development of Paul’s boxing skills as a key reason to be optimistic.
But she knows all too well it could come crashing down in an instant, especially against an opponent who possesses devastating knockout power.
“The progression Jake has made is not normal,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.
“Other athletes, they make a few percentage points of progression a year, if at all. Jake makes so much in a year. So I do trust his skills. I’m very proud of him.
“But of course, Mike Tyson could give one punch that is harder than Mike has ever thrown — and it will be lights out for Jake.”
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Although Paul campaigns as a cruiserweight (200lbs), he has the added challenge of fighting Tyson at heavyweight.
Paul anticipates Tyson will weigh in at 235lbs and expects to come in 15lbs lighter at 220lbs on fight night.
Paul has fought 11 times since his debut in January 2020 and has upped the difficulty level in each passing bout.
The 27-year-old has fought twice already this year, stopping former Golden Gloves champion Ryan Bourland and ex-UFC middleweight Mike Perry.
Other opponents Paul has beaten include former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, UFC icon Anderson Silva as well as Nate Diaz.
The only blemish on Paul’s record is a split decision defeat to former Love Island contestant Tommy Fury, who is the half-brother of Tyson Fury.
As for Tyson, his last fight was an exhibition against fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
However, the 58-year-old’s final professional bout took place in June 2005 when he lost to Kevin McBride.
