Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson claims many are envious of the attention surrounding his upcoming fight with Jake Paul, a popular American YouTuber who is 27 years his junior. Tyson, set to face Paul in what promises to be a headline-grabbing match, expressed his confidence despite the age gap and criticism from others in the fight community.
On March 7, Netflix teased the much-anticipated event by releasing a promotional video featuring Paul stepping out of a helicopter to confront Tyson. The fight will take place at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, which holds 80,000 spectators, and will be streamed live on Netflix on July 20.
Controversy Surrounding the Fight
The announcement of this bout has sparked immediate controversy, largely due to the significant 30-year age difference between Tyson and Paul. Tyson will be 58 years old when he steps into the ring, a fact that has drawn mixed reactions. Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn expressed disappointment, saying he was “really sad” to see Tyson return to the ring. Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez voiced a lack of interest in the fight.
Other fighters have chimed in as well. Dillon Danis, who fought Jake Paul’s brother Logan Paul last year, wrote: “Jake is going to fight someone born in 1966. What a shame.” Meanwhile, former UFC champion Michael Bisping criticized Jake, saying, “Jake should be ashamed of himself. And the biggest joke is he doesn’t even know why.”
Tyson’s Comeback After Retirement
Mike Tyson originally retired from professional boxing in 2005 and has only participated in one exhibition bout since, against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Despite his extended break from the sport, Tyson is unfazed by the backlash and firmly believes his match with Jake Paul will draw significant attention.
“What if I’m 58? I’m getting billions of views just talking about this fight,” Tyson told Reuters on April 3. “Everyone, even most athletes, are jealous. They can’t sell out an arena. Who at 58 can sell out an 80,000-seat arena? Why do you think Paul wants to fight me and not anyone else? Every fighter wants to fight Paul.”
Since his retirement, Tyson has faced various health issues, including sciatica, which at times left him confined to a wheelchair. Despite these challenges, the boxing icon admits he’s nervous but views that anxiety as part of the pre-fight experience. Tyson revealed he felt the same way before his fight with Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw after three guest judges scored the match at 76-76, 79-73, and 76-80. Both fighters were awarded the WBC “Frontline Battle” belt for their efforts.
“I have a strange personality, but I don’t think it’s strange,” Tyson shared in a recent interview. “Whatever I’m afraid of, I do. I was afraid before the Roy fight. I admit, I was 54, 53 years old and said let’s go. Whatever I’m afraid of, I face it. That’s my personality. Right now, I’m scared to death.”
Other Fighters Eyeing Paul
Former WBC super middleweight champion Sakio Bika, 44, has expressed interest in stepping in if Tyson withdraws. Bika, an Australian-Cameroonian boxer, held world titles in both the WBC and IBO divisions and boasts an impressive record of 45 fights, 35 wins (22 by knockout), 7 losses, and 3 draws.
“Right now, I’m in good shape and ready if the right offer comes along,” Bika told World Boxing News. “I’ve reached the pinnacle of the sport, been a world champion multiple times. I have nothing left to prove to anyone, but I want one more big fight. If someone like Jake Paul or my brother really wants to challenge a world champion, I’m always ready.”
As the fight date approaches, the anticipation continues to build, with fans and critics alike eagerly awaiting what promises to be one of the most talked-about boxing events of the year.
