Mike Tyson returns to the ring at 58 to become immortal. “I won’t lose, did you hear what I said?” guarantees «Iron» Mike, who tonight will face the influencer Jake Paul, 31 years younger, but who will earn double his purse (40 million dollars against 20). Staggering figures (some tickets sold for two million dollars) and a stadium with 80,000 spectators for the return of the former champion in a fight over eight rounds of two minutes each instead of three and heavier gloves to cushion the power of the punches. “If I win, I’m immortal.” But if things go wrong, I don’t want to die in a hospital bed, I want to die in the ring.” After all, the square has always been the refuge of the youngest world heavyweight champion. Or perhaps we should say his nest: “I wouldn’t have become a fighter if it hadn’t been for pigeons,” he often recounted of his first fight, when little Mike from Brooklyn attacked another boy who had ripped off the head of his favorite pigeon before his eyes. Then, what would have been called “the baddest man on the planet” would have ripped off rival Holyfield’s ear, but that’s another story.
That’s it. Nineteen years after his last pro match, when he lost against Kevin McBride, Tyson returns to an official heavyweight match after accepting the proposal of Jake Paul, another “damned” man accused of sexual assault. Apart from this the two have little in common, except that they supported Trump during the election campaign. «I hope he’s prepared well otherwise I’ll hurt him a lot», charges Paul. “Thanks man, we’ll have fun,” Mike replied, warning the Youtuber-turned-boxer not to mistake his friendliness for weakness. “There are no feelings at stake here,” Tyson reiterated. «Paul is someone who was made to believe he was a killer, but built on the internet. I am a natural killer. My intention is to hurt him. I hope he has the same intentions, otherwise he will be in trouble.”
When the bell rings, Tyson promises that the old “Iron Mike” will return, if only for one night. “I will bring the devil himself,” he added. The doctors have warned him in recent hours: “Mike, you risk your life.” And he: «For the first time you will see a man die in the ring. But it won’t be me.” TV: 2 hours, Netflix
