Mike Tyson’s Return to the Ring Against Jake Paul Confirmed for July 20
Mike Tyson is making a comeback to boxing, and this time, it’s against none other than Jake Paul. The bout is set to take place on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Jake Paul, known for his transition from YouTuber to boxer, with a record of 9-1 and 6 knockouts, has expressed his desire to challenge real boxers and ultimately compete for a world title. However, instead of facing current boxers, he will step into the ring with the long-retired Mike Tyson, who boasts an impressive record of 56 wins, 6 losses, and 44 knockouts. Tyson, a former heavyweight champion and a legend in boxing history, last fought competitively almost 19 years ago, with his last bout resulting in a TKO loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005. Remarkably, Tyson will be 58 years old at the time of the fight.
While Tyson participated in an eight-round exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr. in July 2020, there was little demand for him to return to professional boxing. Nevertheless, during his prime, Tyson was renowned as one of the most feared fighters in the sport, earning the title of the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” He held the undisputed heavyweight championship and remains the youngest fighter ever to win a heavyweight title. Despite facing legal troubles, including a stint in jail for a rape conviction, Tyson made a successful return to the ring, reclaiming the WBC title after just two wins following his release from prison.
On the other hand, Jake Paul, after initially facing fellow YouTubers and former MMA fighters, suffered a setback with a split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. Since then, he has expressed his intention to focus on building a legitimate boxing career. With wins over Andre August and Ryan Bourland, both by first-round knockouts, Paul aims to establish himself in the sport, competing at the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds.
The announcement of this unconventional matchup raises the question: Why is it happening? Experts Mike Coppinger, Marc Raimondi, and Timothy Bradley Jr. offer their insights into this intriguing clash of generations.