Saturday 20 July is the date set for the big event in Texas (USA), Tyson’s return to the ring. Beyond the level of boxing on display, the event will capture the attention of boxing fans and curious onlookers alike as the megastar returns to professional boxing after nearly two decades.

The boxing world will come to a standstill to cheer or criticise Tyson and the YouTuber in one of the biggest fights of the year, taking place at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas, with a capacity of up to 80,000.

Mike Tyson will face YouTuber Jake Paul in an exhibition bout to be broadcast on Netflix, marking the controversial American knockout artist’s return to professional boxing.

The build-up to the event has been fraught with controversy, including an unfortunate medical mishap that has led to speculation about the future of the fight in the southwestern United States.

The boxing legend had a medical scare during his flight from Miami to Los Angeles, and the YouTuber responded. Iron Mike received emergency treatment for “nausea and dizziness due to an ulcer that flared up 30 minutes before landing,” according to a statement from the legendary boxer’s representatives.

American media outlet In Touch Weekly reported that there were moments of panic during the flight: “Mike had some sort of medical emergency on the plane and paramedics boarded. Before the paramedics arrived, the flight made an announcement asking for a doctor; the message even appeared on all the screens”.

The 57-year-old boxer (who turns 58 twenty days before the fight) used his verified and widely followed X account, with more than six million followers, to clarify his health status: “I feel 100% now”. He then added a direct jab at the 27-year-old he will face in the ring: “Although I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”

The post racked up more than 75,000 likes and nearly 5 million views in a matter of hours on X.

The former heavyweight champion has admitted on several occasions that his physical condition is not ideal: “My body is in terrible shape right now. It hurts,” he said in 2022, adding in an interview with Newsmax TV: “I have sciatica and from time to time that problem flares up. When it does, I can’t even talk! Thank God it’s the only health problem I have. I’m fine now”.

Mike Tyson retired from professional boxing with a record of 50 wins, 6 losses and 44 knockouts, as popular as he was controversial. He hung up his gloves after losing to Kevin McBride on 11 June 2005, when he was stopped in the sixth round after being knocked down.

Almost two decades on from that fight, the iconic fighter will return against Jake Paul in a different format, with two-minute rounds instead of the traditional three-minute rounds, which Tyson says will increase the action, although logically shorter rounds will allow for more rest between rounds, allowing for better oxygenation, especially for a boxer fighting at the age of 58.

The youngest former heavyweight champion of the world stepped back into the ring in 2020 for an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, which ended in a draw.

Jake Paul, 27 years old, is a famous YouTuber, with little skill according to boxing experts, a very media-savvy actor turned boxer, which guarantees the success of the television audience so important in the United States. Born on 17 January 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio, he lost his debut fight to Tommy Fury by split decision and won his last two fights. His record is 9 wins – six by knockout – and one loss.