November 13th 2024.
Legendary boxer Mike Tyson will make his long-awaited comeback to the ring on Friday, facing off against a much younger opponent, Jake Paul. This will be Tyson's first professional fight in 19 years, since he retired from boxing in 2002. While the return of boxing legends is nothing new, there has been a recent trend of crossover fights involving MMA fighters, YouTubers, and other celebrities, making it a lucrative business.
Other iconic boxers, such as Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, and Marco Antonio Barrera, have also returned to the ring for exhibition bouts. In fact, Tyson himself made a comeback in 2020, fighting to a draw against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. However, these fights were all under exhibition rules and served as a way for these legends to relive their glory days and earn some extra cash.
Unfortunately, not all comeback fights go as planned. In September 2021, Evander Holyfield, who is often associated with Tyson due to their infamous 1997 fight where Tyson bit off part of Holyfield's ear, returned to the ring for an exhibition bout. At the age of 58, Holyfield faced 44-year-old former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, who retired a decade earlier. The result was a devastating defeat for Holyfield, who was knocked down twice in the first round and ultimately had the fight stopped by the referee.
Holyfield, who is one of the few boxers to hold world titles in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, was no match for Belfort's punishing blows. This was a stark contrast to his prime years in the 80s and 90s, where he dominated the heavyweight scene along with Tyson and Lennox Lewis. Since that fight, Holyfield has not stepped back into the ring.
Some may argue that Holyfield's circumstances were not ideal, as he took the fight on short notice after the original opponent, Oscar De La Hoya, tested positive for Covid. Additionally, the fight was moved from California to Florida after the California State Athletic Commission refused to sanction it. However, these factors do not change the fact that Holyfield was outmatched and clearly past his prime.
On the other hand, Tyson has been training rigorously for his comeback fight since the summer and has shown incredible physical shape and power. However, given his history of health issues, there are valid concerns about his safety in the ring. Only time will tell if Tyson's return will be a triumphant one or if it will end in disappointment like Holyfield's comeback fight.
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