Fifty-seven-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson is set for a return to the ring to fight social media star Jake Paul.
Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight world champion, will face 27-year-old Paul in a boxing match on July 20 at the ATandT Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Paul had his second professional boxing match when he knocked out NBA star Nate Robinson on the undercard of Tyson's last fight against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.
After that fight, Tyson said he wouldn't get back in the ring but now he's coming back for a one-off showcase against Jake. It is currently not yet known if the fight will be professionally sanctioned or if it will be an exhibition bout.
The fight will be shown live on Netflix, which is the first time the streaming giant has shown a combat sport, reports the Mirror.
"Whether you're team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you're a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you're not going to want to miss this event. I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep," Paul said.
Last weekend, Paul showed his boxing skills by knocking out a lesser-known fighter named Ryan Bourland in his 10th pro match. He said: "Within just two and a half years of founding Most Valuable Promotions, we're about to produce the biggest fight in history, a fight in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world."
Boxing legend Tyson has always spoken favourably about how Paul has gone from being famous online to fighting in the ring. Now, Tyson has promised to be the first one to beat him.
"I'm very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul," Tyson shared. "He's grown significantly as a boxer over the years."
Tyson is excited to see what will happen when a young person's will meets the skill of a great champion. "It will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a 'kid' can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT. It's a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him."
Tyson stopped boxing nearly 20 years ago with a record of 50 wins, 6 losses, and 2 no contests. He still has the title for becoming the youngest heavyweight world champion ever at age 20, when he won against Trevor Berbick in 1986.
'Iron Mike' Tyson, the legendary boxer known for his controversial career, once bit a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear during their famous rematch. Tyson missed a significant part of his career after being sentenced to six years in prison.
He was released on parole after three years and won two more world titles when he returned to boxing.
