In a world where boxing purists clash with viral sensations, a storm is brewing over the upcoming showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. Set to take place on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas, the bout has caused a frenzy of concern for the fans and prominent names in the combat sports world. 

The age difference between Tyson and Paul is a cause for concern for many, with ‘Iron Mike’ stepping into the ring at 58 against an opponent who is just 27 years old. Ironically, this match was almost halted before it started. Originally set for July, the fight was postponed due to Tyson suffering an ulcer flare-up. However, there’s one man who has thrown his weight behind Tyson and he’s also got the experience of having faced Jake Paul himself!

In a recent post shared on his Instagram story, former UFC star and Stockton legend Nate Diaz shared a picture of Mike Tyson after a training session. ‘Iron Mike’ was decked out in NDA Boxing apparel, Diaz’s clothing venture and he captioned the post, “Let’s go Mike”.

While Diaz may be full of support for Tyson, the legendary boxer has caused eyebrows to be raised over his recent comments about what he wants out of this fight against Jake Paul. During a promotional video for the bout, Tyson had confessed, “If I win, I’ll be immortal. If I do it bad, I don’t want to die in a hospital bedroom, I want to die in the ring.”

But according to Eddie Hearn, a respected figure in boxing promotion, this fight is “dangerous, irresponsible, and disrespectful to boxing.” For Hearn, who’s seen boxing’s greats rise and fall, Tyson’s return to the ring is a risky spectacle. He’s 58, and the idea of ‘Iron Mike’ going up against a much younger Paul is, in Hearn’s eyes, a recipe for disaster.

In a conversation with BBC Sport, Hearn stated, “I’m in awe of him – he’s one of my favorite ever fighters, one of the greatest of all time – but he’s a 58-year-old man, you only need to speak to him and look at him to know this guy should not be in a ring again.”

This isn’t Tyson’s first recent return to the ring. In 2020, he fought an exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr., another legendary veteran. But that fight was largely viewed as a friendly showcase, a way for fans to relive the old glory days. While fans might be lured by the sight of a living legend in the ring, what price will Mike Tyson pay for stepping back in against a much younger, hungry fighter? Or is the combat sports world worried about the wrong man in this matchup?

Hall of Fame referee warns Jake Paul about Tyson’s “power”  

As the boxing world buzzes with excitement over the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, one man stands at the edge, urging caution but surprisingly, not for the heavyweight legend! Richard Steele, a Hall of Fame referee who has witnessed the devastation Tyson can unleash inside the squared circle, claimed that stepping into the ring with Tyson, even at 58, is like stepping into a lion’s den.

Speaking to USA Today Sports, Steele stated the terms of this fight don’t tip the scales in Paul’s favor, “I don’t see the guy going that distance with Tyson, Because Tyson, he’s so strong and he’s a ex-champion. He knows what he’s doing and for two minutes … he can go all out.”

The bout is scheduled for eight rounds, each lasting just two minutes, and will be contested with 14-ounce gloves instead of the standard 10, a small concession for safety, but Steele dismissed it as a non-factor. Why? According to him, “That’s still a small glove thinking about the power of Mike Tyson… He’s still dangerous… He has so much power… I just hope he don’t end up getting hurt or hurt the other guy.”

The stakes are higher than they appear. With a 31-year age gap and Tyson’s own admission that he’d rather “…die in the ring,” concerns are mounting. So, what will happen on fight night? In boxing, age is just a number—until it isn’t. Will this fight reignite Mike Tyson’s legendary flame, or will it reveal the dangers of making a comeback past his prime? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!