Nearly 40 years after his pro debut and 19 years post-retirement, 58-year-old Mike Tyson will step back into the boxing ring on Friday for a Netflix-sponsored fight that has stirred up strong reactions within the boxing community. Tyson, the dominant heavyweight of the late 1980s, is set to face 27-year-old YouTube star Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, structured as eight rounds of two minutes each, was initially slated for July but was delayed after Tyson required medical treatment for a bleeding ulcer following an incident on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. This health scare has added to the criticism surrounding Friday's bout, with many calling it a dangerous spectacle that poses unnecessary risks to Tyson, who last fought professionally in 2005, ending in a loss to Kevin McBride.
British promoter Eddie Hearn voiced his disapproval, saying, “If anyone believes Tyson should be fighting at this age, they’re either unconcerned for his health or acting recklessly. This fight shouldn’t be happening.” Fellow promoter Frank Warren agreed, comparing it to a roadside accident that attracts attention for the wrong reasons.
Tyson, who is reportedly earning around $20 million for the fight, has dismissed health concerns, attributing criticism to jealousy. “I’m beautiful; that’s all there is to say,” he stated, adding that critics "wish they could be in my place."
At a workout in Texas this week, Tyson explained that his intense training had bolstered his confidence. "The fight is the celebration—all the hard work is done,” he said, and at a press conference in Texas, he added simply, “I’m just ready to fight.”
On the other side, Jake Paul, who rose to fame on YouTube before entering the boxing world, also expressed confidence, promising a swift fight. Paul, who has built a record of 10 wins (seven by knockout) and one loss, wore a rooster-shaped headdress at his workout and stated, “It’s going to be a short night for Mike.”
While Tyson’s prime years in the 1980s might have seen him dispatch an opponent like Paul in minutes, many wonder if he still retains any of the power that crowned him the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20. Boxing legend Bob Arum, 92, also weighed in bluntly on the spectacle, adding yet another voice to the debate surrounding this unique match.
