Mike Tyson, 58, will return to the boxing ring on Friday, nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years after he was forced into retirement.

Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight division in the late 1980s, will face 27-year-old YouTube star Jake Paul in an officially sanctioned bout. The eight-round fight, consisting of two-minute rounds, was originally scheduled for July but was postponed in May after Tyson suffered a medical condition during the flight that required treatment for a bleeding ulcer.

This health emergency has further increased opposition from those who see the fight as a reckless and dangerous affair. Tyson last resigned as a professional in 2005 after being defeated by Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

‘This shouldn’t happen’

Boxing’s leading figures expressed concern, including British promoter Eddie Hearn, who condemned the fight. “Twenty years ago Mike Tyson left boxing and was already in a bad place. It’s irresponsible to put him back in the ring,” Hearn said this week. “This isn’t supposed to happen.”

Fellow promoter Frank Warren echoed these sentiments, calling the matchup “ridiculous”. He added, “Tyson is 58 and he shouldn’t be fighting. It’s like people watching a car crash in shock; that’s what this fight is all about.”

But Tyson shrugged off these concerns. Reports suggest he will earn around $20 million from the fight, and he insists the criticism is due to jealousy. “I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson said earlier this year. “People who talk wish they were here. No one else can do it.”

During an open workout in Texas this week, Tyson claimed his rigorous training had only strengthened his resolve. “When I started training I was like, ‘What was I thinking?’ “I thought, but I did it. The struggle itself is a celebration,” he said.

At his final press conference on Wednesday, Tyson remained tight-lipped about the hype surrounding the event. “I’m just ready to fight,” he said. “I’m looking forward to this.”

Fear of injury increases

Friday’s fight, which is expected to attract millions of viewers on Netflix and the crowd at AT&T Stadium, raised questions about Tyson’s physical condition. Paul, who turned to boxing after rising to fame on YouTube, has compiled a record of ten wins since he started fighting in 2018, including seven knockouts and one loss. Short night for Mike.”

Boxing legend Bob Arum was blunt in his assessment of Tyson’s chances. “A 58-year-old man, no matter how good or athletic he once was, is not going to be able to perform at a high level in the ring,” Arum said in an interview last month. “I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I don’t think he has much of a chance.”

While Tyson was a formidable opponent for Paul at his peak in the 1980s, critics question whether that power remains. For many, Tyson’s legacy is already cemented; Time will tell whether this comeback will serve its purpose or tarnish it.