Mike Tyson has been pulled from retirement to fight in November on the back of two knockout defeats. A third is almost sure to follow.
Despite being labeled ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ when he conquered the world as a 20-year-old phenom, Tyson hasn’t shown world-class ability since the late 1980s. Many overlook this disheartening fact as a YouTuber teamed with a streaming service to bring his followers a fight that is only a name for the poster and not a formidable opponent.
If Danny Williams and Kevin McBride could knock Mike Tyson out in 2004 and 2005, respectively – as the former heavyweight champion was 38 – what would a hard-hitting 27-year-old do to a veteran fighter twenty years later?
Mike Tyson’s form
Judging by Tyson’s exhibition in 2020 against Roy Jones Jr. [and that’s all we have to go on], Mike’s punch power is no longer what it was, even upon his return from exile in the mid-1990s. Despite Jones stating every punch hurt him in the contest, the ex-pound-for-pound number one was never worried during the rounds. Jones respects Tyson, as they were both making money, so it definitely could have been common courtesy.
If Jake Paul fights as he’s been fighting against veterans far younger than Tyson, and if he hits the professional legend full force, the primary question mark will be whether the punch resistance is there.
As Paul requested a pro license for the bout, the result will go on Tyson’s record for eternity. This not-so-unthinkable scenario would mean Tyson ends his career worse off than he did before with three straight knockout losses.
Boxing historians already underscored Tyson’s record due to a lack of Hall of Fame victims, but those later career stoppages did even more damage. If you add an influencer to that downside, the repercussions for Tyson will be irreversible.
Baited from retirement
This is why Paul wants the fight. Despite his lack of skills, the former Disney child actor has always stated he would make his mark. Calling out Canelo is always a smokescreen to use, as Paul knows deep down he wouldn’t last seconds against the Mexican superstar.
Therefore, Tyson is the perfect opponent, and a massive pot of money is the best bait to land the name he wants on his record. ‘Iron’ Mike is the most significant name in the sport, even overhauling Floyd Mayweather after retirement, giving Paul the kudos he wants that nobody can ever retract.
Medical issues and the lack of evidence that he can be explosive for more than a few seconds put the ball firmly in the orchestrator’s [Paul] court.
Mike has to ensure he doesn’t get knocked out on November 15, and he couldn’t do it in his last two professional bouts in far better shape.
The danger for the YouTuber is that he may not get the credit he expects if he batters an aged Tyson into submission in front of an audience that could potentially reach over 250 million subscribers.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
