One of the boxing all-time greats, Mike Tyson has shared his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon later this year.
Tyson believes that the Irishman is past his prime and considering the lavish lifestyle he lives, it will be difficult for him to regain the top spot in the UFC.
“It’s hard to stay ready with that lifestyle,” Tyson said on his HotBoxin’ podcast.
The ‘Iron’ Tyson was accompanied by the current UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya who recently secured a new lucrative UFC contract, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the promotion.
Adesanya said that he still has the same hunger and the mindset that he carried on entering the promotion despite signing a multi-million-dollar deal.
Tyson banked $685 million (£475m) during his boxing career and made a comeback last year after 15 years in retirement to fight Roy Jones Jr. for a fee of around $10 million (£7.5m). The 55-year-old is well aware of what changes in the fighter’s work ethics and ideology occurs when he earns that much purse.
“Have you ever had a $30million fight? Then talk to me later when you get a $30 million, $40 million fight.” Tyson said.
“When you got a $40 million fight and the week after you have that money, and they are telling you that you have to fight in six weeks it’s hard to get out the bed. You end up saying ‘how much money is it? Give me five more million.”
And as far as McGregor is concerned, the Irishman has been teasing fans with the rumors of his much-anticipated return.
‘Notorious’ is expected to make his return later this year after being sidelined for almost a year. He suffered a devastating leg injury in the first round of his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264