Mike Tyson: 'Many people are jealous because I attract billions of views'

Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson says many people are jealous because his fight with American YouTuber Jake Paul, 27 years his junior, received worldwide attention.

Netflix announced the fight on March 7 with a video of Paul stepping out of a helicopter and facing Tyson. The fight will be held at the Dallas Cowboys' 80,000-seat home stadium and will stream live on Netflix on July 20.

Jake Paul Faces Mike Tyson — Jake Paul faces Mike Tyson.

The fight has sparked immediate controversy due to the 30-year age gap between Paul and Tyson, who will be 58 when he steps into the ring. Prominent boxing promoter and manager Eddie Hearn said he was "really sad" to see Tyson return, while Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez said he had no interest in the fight.

Dillon Danis, who fought Logan Paul - Jake Paul's brother - last year, wrote: "Jake is about to fight someone born in 1966. What a shame." Former UFC champion Michael Bisping commented: "Jake should be ashamed of himself. And the biggest joke is that he doesn't even know why."

Tyson hung up his gloves in 2005 and has only fought one exhibition bout since, against Roy Jones Jr. But the heavyweight legend is not worried about his time away from the ring and insists a fight with Paul would attract worldwide attention.

"So what if I'm 58? I'm getting billions of views just talking about this fight," Tyson told Reuters on April 3. "Everybody, even most athletes, are jealous. They can't sell out an arena. Who at 58 can sell out an 80,000-seat arena? Why do you think Paul wants to fight me and not someone else? Every fighter wants to fight Paul."

Since retiring from professional fighting nearly two decades ago, Tyson has struggled with physical problems and has been confined to a wheelchair at times due to sciatica. As a result, the 57-year-old admitted to feeling nervous about returning to the ring, but considered it part of the pre-fight process. Tyson revealed that he felt the same way when he fought Jones Jr. in November 2020. With scores from three guest judges of 76-76, 79-73, 76-80, the two fighters were declared a draw and both received a special "Frontline Battle" belt awarded by the WBC.

The fight with Paul on July 20 will be Tyson's second fight since his retirement in 2005. Photo: Netflix — The fight with Paul on July 20 will be Tyson's second fight since his retirement in 2005. Photo: *Netflix*

Sakio Bika, 44, wants to replace Tyson in the ring with Paul. Bika is an Australian boxer of Cameroonian origin who held the WBC super middleweight title from 2013-2014 and the IBO super middleweight title from 2008-2010. In total, Bika has 45 fights in his boxing career, winning 35 with 22 knockouts, losing seven and drawing three.

"I'm in good shape right now and I'm ready if the right offer comes along," Bika told World Boxing News . "I've reached the pinnacle of the sport, been a world champion multiple times. I have nothing left to prove to anyone, but I want another big fight. If someone like Jake Paul or my brother really wants to test the world champion, I'm ready."

Hong Duy

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