Boxing fans fear history is about to repeat itself.
Mike Tyson is set to return to the ring against Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday night.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion hasn’t fought professionally since journeyman Kevin McBride made him quit in the sixth round of their 2005 fight.
Now he’s set to return to the ring at 58 years old, which was the same age his old rival Evander Holyfield was when he made an ill-fated comeback against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in September 2021.
Evander Holyfield suffered bad KO loss in comeback fight
Holyfield, who holds two famous wins over Tyson, decided to take a short-notice fight with Belfort when the UFC superstar’s original opponent, Oscar De La Hoya, was forced out of their clash after contracting COVID-19.
Like Tyson’s upcoming fight against Paul Holyfield’s return to the ring sparked medical concerns.
The former two-weight world champion looked like a shell of his former self and was wobbled by the first meaningful shot Belfort landed. Moments later, ‘The Phenom’ dropped him before unleashing an onslaught of punches when Holyfield popped back to his feet.
Holyfield had no answer and was ultimately saved by the referee who waved off the fight after just 109 seconds.
Footage of Holyfield’s disastrous comeback is being consistently shared on social media as fans express their concerns that Tyson will suffer the same fate or worse against a man 31 years his junior.
Tyson needs to pass two medical tests before being cleared to take on Paul tomorrow night, but even if he does some people will still love to see his comeback get scrapped.
Mike Tyson issues statement amid health concerns
Tyson was forced to issue a statement addressing concerns for his health.
‘Iron Mike’ is thankful to his fans for trying to look out for him, but he’s sure that he’ll emerge from his fight with Paul unscathed.
“Time changes [a person], I was a different person back then, and it’s time for me to come back,” Tyson said.
“I was a different person [when I last fought professionally in 2005] … I was using narcotics and alcohol back then and I’m not that person anymore. I see a better picture of myself, I see light, I see the world from a different perspective now.”
“Thank you very much for being concerned, but I am fighting… I’m going to be okay.
“I feel great; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I boxed for eight rounds. Listen, I’m sparring young guys and they’re hitting me real hard; it wasn’t a picnic when I first started training, these young guys gave me a shellacking at first.”
“I’m doing my s***. I was born to do this, I was built for this stuff, I was born to sellout a Stadium – this is what I’ve wanted to do my whole entire life.”