For a brief moment, I entertained the thought of checking whether Mike Tyson was older than me. It seems we’ve spent a significant portion of our lives in the boxing ring, though I do have a considerable age advantage, albeit less than the 30-year gap between Iron Mike and Jake Paul. So when news broke that these two were slated to face off this summer, a sharp intake of breath was the instinctual reaction. Was this akin to a father-son showdown for a family fortune? Well, financially speaking, perhaps. The global reaction ranged from concern for Tyson’s well-being to scorn for boxing, seen as once again making a spectacle of itself. Some even deemed it obscene. Understandably, concerns about health and safety arise for a man of Tyson’s age, even in America where retirement age eligibility is often referred to as bus pass age. But upon deeper contemplation, perhaps the focus of concern should shift to the other side of the ring.
Jake Paul, the rising star, is set to square off against boxing legend Mike Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas later this year. The 57-year-old Tyson’s return to the ring for such an unconventional match-up raises eyebrows. After all, Tyson, a former unified heavyweight world champion, is renowned for possessing what many consider to be the most devastating punch in the history of boxing. He’s no novice whom Paul has been dispatching with ease since transitioning from YouTube antics to legitimate boxing. Even if I were fifty years younger, I wouldn’t relish the thought of being on the receiving end of Tyson’s unparalleled power. While some may label this match-up as a farce, a fraud, or a disgrace—arguments with merit—Jake Paul is the one facing the greatest risk of serious harm.
Throughout his illustrious career, Tyson made a habit of dispatching established heavyweights with frightening ease, often with a single thunderous blow. And as they say, the last thing a boxer loses is his punch. Tyson wouldn’t be stepping into the ring, even for a substantial payday, if he didn’t believe he could replicate his past feats against his youthful opponent. Recent footage of Tyson mercilessly pounding the heavy bag in the gym only adds to the apprehension.
Paul, in his quest to carve out a boxing career for himself, faces his most formidable challenge yet. His upcoming bout against Tyson is expected to draw a massive crowd in Dallas, potentially filling the largest National Football League Stadium in America. While it’s true that Paul would need to catch Tyson first, he’s always been known for his exceptional speed, a trait that served him well when he trained UFC icon Francis Ngannou for his boxing debut, where he managed to knock down and nearly defeat Tyson Fury. Such preparations have brought Paul back to peak condition for his age.
As for Tyson, he remains the last person any would-be assailant would want to cross paths with in a dark alley. Hopefully, he’ll continue to enjoy the fruits of his labor from his expansive cannabis ranch in Nevada, albeit with moderation until July rolls around. Is this event ideal? Probably not, but its potential to fill the largest NFL stadium in America speaks volumes. Will the medical community be alarmed? Undoubtedly. But perhaps their concerns are directed toward the wrong side of the ring.