At 58 years old, Mike Tyson is on the verge of stepping back into the boxing ring after a recent health scare. The former heavyweight champion, once known as the most dangerous man in the world, may be risking his well-being with his return to the sport. However, when asked why he’s going forward with the fight against Jake Paul, Tyson’s response was swift and confident.
“Because I can. Who else can do it but me? Who else is he going to fight to make this happen?” Tyson remarked during a packed news conference, where fans cheered him on and jeered Paul.
Tyson highlighted the significance of the bout, stating, “We’ve got a YouTuber fighting the greatest fighter that ever lived.”
The build-up to their match, now scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has resumed after an initial postponement. Tyson was originally set to face Paul on July 20, but the fight was delayed due to a health issue. During a flight from Miami to Los Angeles in May, Tyson became nauseous and dizzy, an episode his representatives later attributed to an ulcer.
Tyson reassured fans on Sunday that he has returned to training and feels well. “I’m just ready,” he said.
Tyson, who reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, retired in 2005. He made a brief comeback in 2020 for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. His upcoming fight has generated significant excitement, with large crowds gathering at Sunday’s press event, leaving many fans unable to attend due to the overwhelming turnout.
Jake Paul, who has a record of 10-1 with 7 KOs, faced off verbally with the audience who showed their support for Tyson. “Hey New York, you’re just like Mike Tyson,” Paul quipped. “You were good 20 years ago.”
Paul is aware that defeating Tyson, who is far from his prime, may not earn him much respect. Nevertheless, the social media personality turned boxer sees the fight as an invaluable learning opportunity. “Big moments, big pressure, big stages—one of the greatest to ever do it,” Paul said. “I’m going to learn a lot in this fight and through this training camp. This is helping me in my future fights.”
When Tyson was forced to withdraw from their original fight date, Paul stayed active and defeated bare-knuckle fighting champion Mike Perry on July 20. Perry, like many of Paul’s opponents, comes from a mixed martial arts background rather than boxing.
Paul, eager for the rescheduled bout, couldn’t resist taunting Tyson during the news conference. “I was ready before,” he teased. “Your tummy hurt still?”
The fight, which will be streamed on Netflix, will be an official bout with eight two-minute rounds and heavier gloves. Preceding their match will be a highly anticipated rematch between super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, a follow-up to their 2022 clash at Madison Square Garden.
Whether Tyson can rekindle the fire of his legendary career or Paul can further cement his status in boxing remains to be seen. Tyson, however, remains undeterred by his recent health issues.
“I had a small adversity. I got sick, but I’m better,” Tyson assured. “I feel good.”
This fight promises to be a spectacle, blending the old guard with the new in a matchup that has fans buzzing.
