Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight date latest, 'boxing ban' fear and Netflix concerns

Mike Tyson is now weeks away from a first return to the boxing ring for a professional fight in approaching two decades.

Tyson, 58, is scheduled to finally face Jake Paul on 15 November, almost four months after they were set to meet this summer. The former unified world champion, suffering an ulcer flare-up, delayed the event after being advised by doctors to rest and recover before returning to full training.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas—home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys—is still the venue for the bout. The fight will consist of eight two-minute rounds, with each boxer wearing 14-ounce gloves. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) will sanction it.

Here is the latest ahead of the upcoming fight...

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Fitness concerns

Boxing fans have raised concerns about Paul's fitness before the fight which will be streamed on Netflix. Some were left unconvinced by his physical condition after watching video footage shared on Instagram of Paul training for the fight. "He does not look fit at all," one commented. Others argued that Paul's appearance wasn't surprising, given that he had gone up in weight to fight Tyson.

Training photos have been unveiled ahead of the highly anticipated bout, leaving the boxing community divided on who will emerge victorious. Several fans are backing the 58-year-old to pull off a stunning victory, with one supporter commenting: "Jake Paul is getting smoked."

Another enthusiast chimed in: "Let's go, Mike! Bring back that prime Mike feeling where it's over in the first." A third fan quipped: "Rip to Jake Paul." A fourth predicted: "Jake will lose this fight for sure."

Unsurprisingly, Tyson's devoted followers are eager to see the former heavyweight world champion triumph. However, with Paul's youth on his side, many believe 'The Problem Child' will secure a significant win later this year. "Jake Paul's gonna starch Tyson quick," one fan posted.

Jake Paul warning

Ahead of the rescheduled fight, boxing legend 'Sugar' Shane Mosley has warned Paul: "If Mike really hits Jake, Mike can really hurt Jake, and I know what Mike can do and what Jake can do."

Mosley, 53, told the Philadelphia Inquirer: "I don't think Jake really understands how hard Mike can hit. Mike is 58, but these are two-minute rounds and all fighters have pride. I don't think Mike will be going in there to lose to Jake Paul. Jake thinks he can take a shot."

Mosley added: "In the first five or six rounds, and what makes this so fun, is that getting hit by Mike Tyson is dangerous, very dangerous. Jake will have to tire Mike out. Jake will need to understand how these punches will come at him."

He also cautioned: "People need to understand that a bar fight between two guys is one thing, a professional fighter, especially a former world champion, regardless of age, is still a very dangerous man who can seriously hurt you. I don't know how long they would be able to hurt you [laughs], but these are punches from people who have been throwing punches all their lives."

Tyson admission

Mike Tyson has dispelled any notions that money is the driving force behind his fight with Jake Paul, declaring that his comeback to boxing isn't about financial gain. The iconic heavyweight maintains his re-entry into the ring stems from a desire for risk rather than fiscal reward.

With earnings currently flowing more from cannabis endeavours than pugilism, Tyson feels drawn to the thrill of exposing himself to danger and self-discovery in front of a global audience. "I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis," Tyson said during commentary at a Cage Wars MMA event, affirming that the inherent risks in facing Paul appeal more to his sense of identity as a man than any potential paycheck.

"That's bulls*** for me. I'm a man; I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk, sometimes I want to see who I really am. I want to see what I'm really made out of; I want to perform in front of the world. To me, that's all I ever knew how to do since I was 14. This fight is not going to change my life financially enough. This is just what I want to do."

Despite not being in peak condition currently, Tyson has expressed confidence in his recovery. "It's hard to walk right now," he said, adding optimistically, "But two months from now, I'm going to be perfect. The fight is won in the gym. Listen, I'll do anything that will help me. I'm going to enjoy my time here tonight with all my childhood friends and the hell with Jake Paul."

Netflix is set to stream the fight, with both fighters sharing a $80million (£60m) prize fund. Meanwhile, Paul has been vocal about his motivations: "Making history. This is what it's all about for me, man. I'm a kid from Ohio. [...] They'll never give me credit. That's the way it is. If I was walking on water, they would say it's because I couldn't swim. And this is to make history. The people think I'm going to get knocked out by this strong, powerful guy."

'Boxing ban' claim

Former boxing professional Paulie Malignaggi has cautioned Jake Paul that significant damage inflicted on Mike Tyson could lead to public outcry for the sport to be prohibited.

Recent confessions from the 58-year-old heavyweight champion reveal his struggles post-training while he is set to undergo a pre-fight medical. Malignaggi commented on the risks involved: "Head blows from young, strong guys at Mike's age aren't good. When you're younger, you can handle hits better."

He added thoughts on the potential backlash if anything were to go awry, claiming the bout should not be happening at all: "When you're older, your body isn't made for that kind of damage anymore. Things could go badly wrong. If something like that happened, people would be calling for the sport to be banned.

"Personally, I don't think his fight with Jake Paul should happen. He'll be 58 years old by then. Fifty-eight is still 58. We live in a generation that doesn't understand ageing is a real thing. You can show highlights of Mike from the '80s, but the guy stepping into the ring won't be that same Mike Tyson."

Malignaggi has expressed serious concerns that Paul could harm Tyson due to his age. In a conversation with Canada Casino (via the Mirror), he stated: "Jake Paul might not be world-class, but he's certainly not a novice. He's been boxing for about five years.

"After four years of boxing, I won the US National Championships, so Jake's far from a beginner. He's strong and young. Hitting someone Tyson's age has serious risks.

"Tyson wasn't taking punches well at 36, let alone now. If you hit a guy who's that old, it affects them. Imagine what getting hit by a strong guy like Jake would do to him. I wouldn't want to find out."

'Jake Paul can't win'

UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock also believes that if Paul claims victory, fans could effectively be left in mourning for a boxing icon.

"Here's what I say because, like I said, I think what Jake Paul and them guys are doing is brilliant, I really do," said Shamrock. "I think them never fighting a contender but making more money than any world championship fight is brilliant. I mean, it's brilliant, but this one's not good because Jake Paul can't win.

"[If Paul] wins, there's a huge bad taste in the world of boxing. It's a disappointment to an organisation that has loved Mike Tyson. It is like the death of somebody, and it should be victorious for Jake Paul, and I think on that small group of people that are following, yes, but, in that whole atmosphere of boxing, it's gonna feel like somebody died."

Tyson training

In his recent conversation with Jimmy Kimmel, Iron Mike Tyson claimed he's been training for six hours a day. "I am training extremely hard. I do six hours a day. I start at 11 a.m. and might leave the gym at 5 p.m.," Tyson shared.

A surprised Kimmel responded: "Oh no. 11am? So that's six hours straight, or is there a lunch break? " The former heavyweight champion conceded that he does take a short break, to which an astonished Kimmel exclaimed: "Oh no."