Mike Tyson, the one-time boxing legend, has made an unfortunate return to the ring. His fight with Jake Paul made it clear that his prime is over.

Tyson, one of the biggest icons in heavyweight boxing, returned to the ring in Texas on November 17. His opponent this time was not a champion or a veteran boxer, but Jake Paul, a YouTuber and boxer. However, this return did not bring glory, but only raised the question: Is it time for Tyson to put the past behind him and close his career in the ring?

Boxing Rings and Unforgettable Comebacks

Boxing has always held a special allure for fighters, even at an age when their strength and speed are no longer what they once were. Legends of the sport often seek comebacks in the hope of “one last fight.” But these comebacks rarely end well.

Evander Holyfield, one of Tyson’s greatest opponents, is a prime example. In 2021, at the age of 58, Holyfield stepped into the ring against Vitor Belfort, a former UFC fighter. The fight ended after just 1 minute and 49 seconds of the first round, with Holyfield falling to the floor like an old man losing his balance. That fall was not only the end of the fight, but also a warning sign of danger when older fighters try to come back.

Roy Jones Jr., another legend, was not immune to this trap. Despite being a champion in four different weight classes, Jones Jr. continued to pursue his past dream. At 54, he continued to fight and lost to a rookie in late 2023.

None of them, however, can tarnish the legacy they left behind. These final fights may hurt the body, but they cannot erase the achievements of the past. And the same goes for Mike Tyson.

Mike Tyson’s comeback last week wasn’t about glory or honour. It was about money. Tyson and Jake Paul could have pocketed up to $60m (£47.5m) from the fight, sources say.

For Tyson, once a “destroyer” in the ring, this fight was just a show. He had nothing more to prove. Tyson’s career was marked by thunderous punches and unforgettable performances in the 1980s and 1990s.

But Jake Paul is not an equal. He is a new phenomenon, emerging from social media and exhibition fights. Tyson facing Paul, despite the big money, is a regrettable match. It is not the image fans want to remember Mike Tyson.

Not only Tyson, but many other boxing legends have tried to prolong their careers. But not everyone has succeeded.

Danny Williams, who defeated Tyson in 2004, is a case in point. Williams was a promising prospect at the time and handed Tyson a memorable defeat. But instead of capitalizing on that victory, Williams fell into a downward spiral. Now, at 51, Williams still fights, mostly in small, low-profile tournaments.

Meanwhile, Roy Jones Jr. continued to seek exhibition matches to sustain his career. But each time he entered the ring, he only further overshadowed the glorious image of his prime.

Evander Holyfield, after his forgettable fight with Belfort, eventually retired. But memories of him staggering around the ring remain, a reminder of the dangers when legends refuse to let go.

The Jake Paul fight isn’t Tyson’s first return to the ring. In 2020, he took part in an exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr., and his performance was well-received. But this time, at 58, Tyson isn’t as sharp or powerful as he once was.

Mike Tyson’s career, however, did not need fights like this to be defined. He was the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history, with a string of resounding victories over formidable opponents. His legacy cannot be overshadowed by an exhibition bout, but his continued appearances in the ring only raise concerns about his health and safety.

Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr are all legends of boxing. They have devoted their all to the sport and left indelible marks. But time does not forgive anyone, and their comebacks to the ring in their old age only bring regret.

Tyson doesn’t need to prove anything. He has it all: fame, success, and the admiration of millions of fans. What Tyson needs to do now is know when to stop.

Let exhibition fights like the one with Jake Paul be the last straw. And if that happens, fans will always remember Mike Tyson as a great boxing icon, rather than someone who tried to cling to a bygone era.

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