Mike Tyson steps back into the ring at 58, facing Jake Paul amid safety concerns

Nearly four decades after his professional debut and 19 years after being forced into retirement, 58-year-old Mike Tyson will step back into the boxing ring on Friday.

Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight division in the late 1980s, will face off against 27-year-old YouTube star Jake Paul in an officially sanctioned match. The eight-round fight, featuring two-minute rounds, was originally scheduled for July but was delayed in May when Tyson suffered a health scare mid-flight, requiring treatment for a bleeding ulcer.

This health emergency has only fuelled the opposition from those who see the fight as a reckless and dangerous affair. Tyson last fought professionally in 2005, when he quit in his corner after being overpowered by Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

'It shouldn't be happening'

Prominent boxing figures have voiced their concerns, including British promoter Eddie Hearn, who condemned the fight. "Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing and was already in bad shape. To put him back in a ring now is irresponsible," Hearn said this week. "It shouldn't be happening."

Fellow promoter Frank Warren echoed these sentiments, calling the matchup "ridiculous." He added, "Tyson is 58 years of age and should not be fighting. It's like people gawking at a car crash; that's all this fight is."

However, Tyson himself has shrugged off these concerns. Reports suggest he is set to earn around $20 million for the fight, and he insists the criticism comes from jealousy. "I'm beautiful, that's all I can say," Tyson said earlier this year. "The people who are talking wish they were here. No one else could do this."

During an open workout in Texas this week, Tyson claimed his rigorous training had only strengthened his resolve. "When I started training, I thought, 'What was I thinking?' But I've made it through. The fight itself is the celebration. All the hard work is done," he said.

On Wednesday, at the final press conference, Tyson remained tight-lipped about the hype surrounding the event. "I'm just ready to fight," he stated. "I'm looking forward to it."

Injury fears loom

Friday's fight, expected to draw millions of viewers on Netflix and a crowd inside the AT&T Stadium, has 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, including seven knockouts, and one loss since he began fighting in 2018. He expressed confidence ahead of the bout, saying, "It's going to be a short night for Mike."

Boxing legend Bob Arum was blunt in his assessment of Tyson's chances. "A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good or athletic they once were, isn't going to be able to perform in the ring at a high level," Arum said in an interview last month. "I hope Mike doesn't get hurt, but I don't see him standing much of a chance."

Though Tyson at his peak in the 1980s would have been a formidable opponent for Paul, critics question whether any of that power remains. For many, Tyson's legacy is already cemented; whether this comeback serves it or tarnishes it remains to be seen.