Mike Tyson’s Return to Shake Sports World Against Jake Paul
Mike Tyson made a dramatic entrance on Monday night, stepping onto the stage at the Apollo Theater in New York to Tupac Shakur’s “Ambitionz Az a Ridah.” The reason for his grand entrance? The announcement of his highly anticipated comeback fight against Jake Paul, set for later this summer.
Tyson’s Enthusiasm for the Bout
“Let’s f****** go,” Tyson exclaimed to the enthusiastic crowd. Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) explained his reasons for returning to the ring at 58 years old to face Jake Paul (9-1, 6 KOs), a newcomer known for his knockout power. Their bout is scheduled for July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be streamed on Netflix.
“It was a no-brainer,” Tyson said. “He’s a new up-and-coming guy on the scene. And I like shaking the sports world to its core and I am doing it now. It’s just something that I want to do. This fight is very important. Just the fact that he is taking the opportunity to fight me is mind-blowing … I’m very impressed with what he’s accomplished.”
Details of the Fight
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations has sanctioned the heavyweight bout as a professional fight. It will consist of eight two-minute rounds, and both fighters will wear 14-ounce gloves. When asked about critics who question his decision to fight Paul, Tyson responded with confidence and poise.
“I’m beautiful. That’s all I can say,” Tyson remarked. “The people who said that [I am too old to fight] wish that they were up here. No one else can do this. Who else can do this? Who else can shut the sporting world down? No one else can do it. You got the both of us, so we’re going to do this. We’re friends. There’s no doubt we’re friends. But in the ring, we’re not going to be friends. That’s just what it is.”
Tyson’s Preparation and Mindset
Tyson has not fought professionally since 2005, though he came out of retirement for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Reflecting on his current training regime, Tyson admitted, “I’m doing great but my body is s*** right now. I’m really sore. I wish [I was playing possum].”
Tyson opted for shorter rounds to increase the pace and intensity of the fight. “I wanted shorter rounds because I wanted more action. If we only have two minutes we are fighting more,” he explained. When asked about Paul’s ability to handle his power, Tyson was candid. “We’re going to see, huh, [if Paul can take my power].”
Friendship and Rivalry in the Ring
Despite his respect for Paul, Tyson is clear about the competitive nature of their bout. “No, I’m not [trying to put an end to Paul]. I really like Jake a lot. But once he’s in that ring, he has to fight like his life is depending on it, because it will be. This seems like it’s going to be fun. Maybe we’ll do it again, too [against someone else]. But can I take care of Jake first, please?”
Tyson’s return promises to be a spectacle that will captivate the sports world, showcasing not only his enduring charisma but also the intriguing dynamics of a fight between a boxing legend and a social media star turned professional fighter.
