Legendary boxer Mike Tyson, 58, is set to make a stunning return to the ring nearly two decades after his last official fight. Tyson will face off against 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Texas. The highly anticipated bout marks Tyson’s first professional match since his retirement in 2005. The event has garnered massive attention, partly due to the 31-year age difference between the fighters and Tyson’s long hiatus from professional boxing.
The fight was initially scheduled for earlier this year but was postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up during a flight. Despite health concerns, Tyson seems prepared to take on the challenge, even though his last competitive appearance was in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
His final official bout was against Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride in 2005, where Tyson retired on his stool after the sixth round, despite leading on the judges’ scorecards. At that time, Tyson admitted his heart was no longer in the sport, saying, “I do not have the guts to be in this sport anymore.”
On the other side, Jake Paul, known for his rise from YouTube fame to boxing stardom, is confident about facing the legendary Tyson. Paul, boasting a 10-1 record, expressed his desire to see a vintage performance from Tyson, stating, “I want him to be that old savage Mike. I want the hardest match possible… and I want there to be no excuses from anyone when I knock him out.”
Despite his controversial entry into professional boxing, Paul has shown promise, winning several matches and attracting large audiences. His fight against Tommy Fury last year, despite ending in a loss, earned him an impressive $9 million.
However, not everyone is optimistic about Tyson’s return. Former Team Nigeria boxer Tunde Faseke voiced concerns, suggesting Tyson might struggle due to age-related decline. “Mike Tyson is 58 years old. I feel he is well past his prime. He is slow, poorly balanced, and uncoordinated to me. I am a big fan of his in his prime, but this fight isn’t it,” Faseke commented.
Despite scepticism, the fight is expected to be a lucrative spectacle, drawing fans of both Tyson’s legendary career and Paul’s newer but popular boxing journey.
