Hasbulla, 22, has a rare kind of dwarfism brought on by a lack of growth hormone. He has been actively interested in combat sports and frequently travels to competitions throughout the world.

He made an appearance on Tyson’s HotBoxin’ podcast in 2023, where he punched the former heavyweight champion. Tyson picked up the Dagestani star and held him in his arms like a baby after playfully blocking the shots.

Millions of people have watched the video on social media, in which Tyson, who will face Jake Paul again on November 15, acknowledges that he was unaware that Hasbulla was an adult man.In an interview that was made public on Sunday, Tyson spoke with Andre Ward, the former middleweight champion, who described the incident. Ward is 58 years old.

I mistook it for a baby! I’m like that with kids. Then he started punching me.

I was giving this guy, who is maybe 26 years old, a hug. I had absolutely no knowledge!”Given his youth, he ought to be able to take a hit from an elderly, withering man like me.

“Listen, others my age haven’t been training as long or as consistently as I have, so you can’t compare me to them.”

I believe that because of how active I am in my work, I simply belong to a distinct species of person. I don’t do nothing but sit around.

“The city of Dallas will be entertained, and it’s going to be a great evening.”