On July 20, 2024, Mike Tyson will step back into the ring to face Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Arlington, Texas.
In a nostalgic reunion with his childhood neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn, Tyson engaged in a lighthearted street tussle with former boxer Shannon Briggs.
This playful encounter took place as Tyson, preparing for his upcoming bout with Paul, revisited the area where he spent much of his youth.
Accompanied by Briggs and surrounded by locals, Tyson and Briggs shared a moment of friendly tension that culminated in a playful slap-boxing match.
Though no significant blows were exchanged, the mock fight ended in laughter when Briggs attempted to lift Tyson’s leg, prompting both to call off the playful scuffle.
The exhibition bout between Tyson and Paul will take place at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington and will be streamed live on Netflix.
Reflecting on his enduring popularity, Tyson remarked to Reuters, “I’m 58 and what? I’m getting billions of views from just talking to somebody about fighting.”
Tyson shared a video of the incident on social media, captioning it, “Brownsville’s finest always ready for a brawl. Love this guy.”
Briggs also posted a different angle of the playful scuffle, writing, “@miketyson and @cannon_briggs in Brownsville having a straightener in front of #AtlanticTowers! @smoothedahustler the referee! It’s on!”
Tyson’s return to Brownsville evokes memories of his challenging upbringing in Brooklyn’s rough streets, as chronicled in his 2013 memoir “The Undisputed Truth.”
Despite facing adversity at home and in the streets, boxing became Tyson’s salvation, propelling him to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20. With a dominant professional career boasting a 50-6 record, including 44 wins by knockout, Tyson earned the moniker “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
At 58 years old, Tyson remains a sought-after figure in the boxing world, with fans eagerly anticipating his clash with Jake Paul in Texas.