Mike Tyson’s greatest boxing victory is already underlining how he hopes to bury Jake Paul

Mike Tyson’s potential return to the ring against Jake Paul has captured the imaginations of many boxing fans, but the reality of the 58-year-old Tyson stepping into the ring after nearly two decades of retirement raises some serious questions. While Tyson’s legacy is defined by his dominance in the 1980s, including his iconic 91-second knockout of Michael Spinks, those glory days are long behind him. The Tyson of today is a far cry from the ferocious fighter who once unified the heavyweight titles.

Tyson’s last fight was a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride, where he admitted to losing his “fighting guts.” Since then, he’s spent most of his time away from the sport, with no recent competitive bouts to prove he can still compete at a high level. Tyson’s age, physical condition, and absence from the sport are major factors that could limit his ability to recapture his former glory.

Jake Paul, on the other hand, has been more active, with 11 professional bouts over the last five years, winning 10 of them. While he hasn’t fought the top-ranked contenders, his recent experiences in the ring make him a formidable opponent—especially compared to the retired Tyson. If Paul wins, many will argue it’s due to Tyson no longer being in his prime. But if Tyson were to somehow pull off an upset and knock out Paul, it would be an astonishing feat that would add an unpredictable twist to this spectacle.

The upcoming fight, set to air on Netflix, carries significant stakes for both men. For Paul, a win is expected, but a loss would be disastrous, overshadowing his boxing career. As for Tyson, the chance to resurrect his legacy against a much younger and more active fighter may seem like a long shot, but it’s this sense of the unknown—the “what if”—that keeps people intrigued.

Ultimately, this fight is as much about spectacle as it is about sport, and the outcome remains uncertain. Tyson’s puncher’s chance, though small, makes it a story worth watching—if only to answer that lingering question: What if Mike Tyson can do it?