At 56 years of age, Mike Tyson certainly has nothing more to prove. His boxing career spanned well over two decades and he is undoubtedly considered to be one of the most formidable athletes to ever don a pair of gloves. However, it has been said that old habits can die hard. This is why Tyson has never "officially" retired. This is also why rumours that he might consider a match against Jake Paul have stirred up a fair amount of interest. While it does not seem as if the bout will take place, it is just as important to examine what could have happened as well as why Iron Mike's career might still have a bit of momentum left.
YouTuber Turned "Boxer"
It is first important to mention that regardless of what he might claim, Jake Paul does not possess the mettle to step in the ring against contemporary legends such as Tyson Fury or Terence Crawford. In other words, any match would likely represent nothing more than an exhibition. This is similar to the recent dispute between strongmen Eddie Hall and Hafthor Björnsson. While attractive in terms of sheer entertainment, we can hardly expect amateurs to last the entire 12 rounds.We also have to remember that Jake Paul is all about publicity. This is the way he has always earned a living in the past. Love him or hate him, any serious statements about getting into the ring with Tyson should therefore be taken with a grain of salt. However, it is just as interesting to wonder what would have taken place if he and Tyson were presented with an extremely attractive offer. Might Tyson have accepted? Let's delve a bit deeper.
A Living Legend
Mike Tyson boasts a long and respectable track record within the professional boxing community. With 56 fights, 50 wins and 44 knockouts, he was arguably one of the most dangerous men to ever have stepped into the ring. Another point to highlight involves the celebrity status that he enjoyed throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Although this was not always associated with positive press, Tyson provided a much-needed boost to the world of boxing in terms of publicity alone. One perfect example can be seen in the popular Nintendo game Mike Tyson's Punch-Out! that was released in 1987 before his career had even peaked.This is arguably one of the reasons why casinos offering free spins no deposit uk bonuses will often provide a host of boxing-themed slot games to enjoy. The bottom line is that players are extremely familiar with this sport and simply stated, there are already a host of titles to choose from. Some of the most popular include Rocky Slot, Heavyweight Gold Slot and Fight Night Slot. When combined with lucrative welcome bonuses, in-game free spins and similar rewards, it is clear that the boxing theme has become a "knockout" in the online casino community.
How Might the Fight Have Panned Out?
Let us now assume for a brief moment that Mike Tyson and Jake Paul actually met in the ring. What would have happened? Many readers will automatically assume that it would have been an east first-round knockout for Tyson. However, it is actually more likely that he would have gone relatively easy (note the term "relatively" here) on his younger opponent. We have to remember that Tyson has admittedly adopted a much more self-aware mindset in recent times. He understandably states that he did not like the person he was during the majority of his professional career. This is good news for Paul, as facing off against a Tyson in his prime would have represented nothing less than suicide.What About the Future?
Although Jake Paul is likely breathing a silent sigh of relief, might we still see Tyson change into his trademark black trunks one last time? According to recent sources, nothing is completely out of the question. He expressed interest in fighting both Roy Jones Jr. and Evander Holyfield. If a bout with Holyfield was announced, there is little doubt that such a spectacle would easily represent one of the highest-grossing events in the history of boxing. Tyson still trains intensely and is in exceedingly good shape for his age. The term "over the hill" simply does not apply to an athlete of his calibre.However, even die-hard boxing fans must eventually come to the realisation that their idols cannot fight forever. This is an inevitable fact and in the case of Tyson, we have seen a new man emerge over the years. He is now much calmer, happier and content with his life. In terms of victories, being able to overcome one's demons is perhaps the most impressive feat that any athlete can achieve.
