Mike Tyson, now 58 years old, is returning to the boxing ring nearly four decades after his professional debut and almost 20 years after his initial retirement. The former heavyweight champion will face 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Friday in a highly anticipated bout, backed by Netflix and taking place at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
The eight-round fight, originally scheduled for July, was postponed due to a health scare in May when Mike Tyson suffered a bleeding ulcer mid-flight. This incident has only intensified backlash against the bout, with prominent boxing figures calling it a dangerous spectacle.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said this week. “If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
Veteran promoter Frank Warren agreed, labelling the fight ridiculous and comparing the public’s interest to gawking at a car crash. Despite the criticism, Tyson, reportedly earning $20 million for the fight, dismissed concerns, saying, “The people who say that just wish they were here.”
Tyson’s opponent, Jake Paul, who boasts a record of 10 wins in 11 fights, seemed confident in the lead-up to the event. “I feel sharp and explosive,” he said, predicting an easy win.