Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut and 19 years after retiring, 58-year-old Mike Tyson is set to return to the ring this Friday in a highly controversial, Netflix-backed bout that has sparked widespread criticism in the boxing world.
Tyson, a dominant force in the heavyweight division during the late 1980s, will face 27-year-old YouTuber Jake Paul in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The eight-round, two-minute-per-round contest was originally scheduled for July but was delayed after Tyson required medical treatment following a flight from Miami to Los Angeles, during which he vomited blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
The decision to go ahead with the fight has been met with widespread concern, with many fearing it poses significant risks to Tyson’s health. His last professional appearance was in 2005, when he suffered a technical knockout loss to Irishman Kevin McBride and quit on his stool.
“Mike Tyson retired from boxing 20 years ago and was already worn out,” said British promoter Eddie Hearn. “If anyone thinks Mike Tyson should be in the ring at this age, you either have no concern for him, or you’re being reckless. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Promoter Frank Warren also voiced his concerns, stating, “Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting. It’s as simple as that.” Warren compared the spectacle to a roadside accident, adding, “You’re on the motorway, and everyone’s slowing down just to look at a crash—that’s what this is.”
Despite the criticism, Tyson has dismissed concerns for his health, suggesting that critics are driven by jealousy. “I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson responded earlier this year. “Those who criticise wish they were in my place. No one else can do this.”
Tyson, reportedly set to earn $20 million for the fight, insists that his intense training camp has convinced him he is more capable than he realized. “When I agreed to this fight, I thought, ‘What was I thinking?’ But I completed the process. The fight is the celebration. All the hard work is done,” he said.
At a press conference in Texas this week, Tyson remained focused and avoided the usual pre-fight hype, stating simply, “I’m just ready to fight.”
The fight, which will be streamed globally on Netflix and watched by thousands at AT&T Stadium, pits Tyson against Jake Paul, who has built his name through YouTube before transitioning to boxing. Since his debut in 2018, Paul has fought a range of opponents, from fellow YouTubers to basketball players and professional boxers. With a record of 10 wins (seven by knockout) and one loss, Paul has declared himself ready for the challenge.
“I feel really good, sharp, powerful, and explosive. It’s going to be a short night for Mike,” Paul said at a workout on Tuesday, where he wore a rooster-shaped headdress.
While Tyson’s prime in the 1980s would likely have seen him dispatch Paul quickly, doubts remain over whether the 58-year-old can still perform at the elite level that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986.
“No 58-year-old man, no matter how good or athletic they were, can compete at that level anymore,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum. “I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him almost no chance.”
