Mike Tyson, one of the most talked about and highly-rated fighters of the modern era, returns to the ring to take on social media star Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It’s an intriguing contest, in that we know that Iron Mike is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and one of the most feared and ferocious fighters we have seen, but it’s difficult to estimate how much of that version of Tyson remains at the age of 58.
Paul, on the other hand, has made his name in the boxing ring by beating up small and aged MMA fighters, but the Problem Child seems extremely confident in his ability to get the better of Iron Mike this weekend.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul betting tips
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Iron Mike can reign supreme
Tyson is one of the most recognisable figures in boxing and will step back into the ring at the age of 58 to take on Paul.
Iron Mike, who defeated Larry Holmes, Frank Bruno and Michael Spinks, to name just a few, in a fierce and title-laden career, has a record which far outstrips that of any of the Problem Child’s achievements.
However, at this stage in the Brooklyn brawler’s life, his past exploits are pretty much irrelevant when it comes to Saturday’s Texas clash with Paul.
Tyson will not be anything like the power-packed, intimidating all-action heavyweight he once was, but does he have enough left to beat a social media star?
Tyson ended his career with defeats to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride in 2005 – nearly 20 years ago – and while a peak Williams would have destroyed Paul, it was clear that Iron Mike’s day as a top-level heavyweight were over then.
However, he did return to the ring to contest an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr in 2020, and while that was four years ago, Tyson looked to have retained some of the skills and ability, which saw him rise to the top ranks in the heavyweight division.
If Tyson is able to fight to the level that he showed against Jones Jr, then Paul could be in for a tough night.
The 27-year-old has 31 years on his side, but beating veteran MMA fighters in Ben Askren, Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva carries no weight in terms of him being considered a serious professional boxer.
The one borderline credible opponent Paul has faced was Tommy Fury and the Ohio man was beaten by the reality television star.
In fairness, that was a close fight, but TNT is anything but a top-level boxer and again that form is paper thin.
At 2/1 there is enough in the price to chance that Tyson’s body holds up and Iron Mike can relive former glories in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Texas tussle unlikely to go the distance
It’s worth noting that Saturday’s clash will be fought over eight two-minute rounds, rather than the standard three, but it’s still difficult to see the bout going the distance.
There has to be a concern surrounding Tyson’s 58-year-old body withstanding eight rounds, win or lose, and therefore he will have to be targeting a stoppage victory in Texas.
It is telling that even though Tyson is by far the more experienced fighter, the much-younger Paul is the favourite at 1/2.
Paul has won all of his last three bouts by knockout and downing Tyson will further boost the Problem Child’s profile.
Backing under 6.5 rounds would cover an early Tyson victory, as well as keeping an early Paul win on side, and that looks a play in Texas.
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