Well, I never thought I’d be doing a preview for a Mike Tyson fight, but here we are. This Friday night, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will face off in an eight-round boxing match, and it’s sparking all kinds of debates. Jake Paul is reportedly getting $40 million for the fight, while Tyson is only set to earn $20 million. Let that sink in for a minute. The most famous living boxer, a man whose name is synonymous with boxing greatness, is getting a smaller slice of the pie than Jake Paul? If these numbers are accurate, I’m honestly shocked. Tyson is the reason this fight is even happening, he’s the reason the stadium is selling out and the pay-per-view is drawing in massive numbers. If anyone deserves a fair share, it’s Tyson.

The thing is, as much as Jake Paul brings his own brand of controversy and intrigue to the table, this fight isn’t really about him. Sure, Jake has his own following, but Tyson is the story here. People are asking the big question: does Mike Tyson still have enough left in the tank to knock Jake Paul out? Let’s be clear—if this was prime Mike Tyson, this fight wouldn’t even be a discussion. Jake Paul wouldn’t even be in the same ring as him. The gap between these two in Tyson’s prime would have been massive—and that’s putting it mildly. But here we are, watching Tyson, now 58 years old, gearing up for a showdown against a much younger Jake Paul, who’s 27 and physically in his prime. And that’s the crux of the problem: this fight doesn’t feel like it’s in the spirit of boxing.

Boxing, at its core, is about two fighters with similar skill levels, both trained to the highest level, stepping into the ring to find out who’s the better fighter. This is not that. Mike Tyson, despite all the footage of him hitting pads and looking decent for his age, is 58. His body is no longer what it once was. Tyson relied on speed, explosiveness, and athleticism throughout his career. Those traits don’t magically stay intact when you’re in your late 50s. We’ve seen Tyson training—he still looks powerful, but he’s no longer the relentless force he was in the ’80s. And yes, power might be the last thing to go in some boxers, but Tyson’s power relied on all those other factors—his speed, timing, and ability to explode with those devastating hooks.

Jake Paul is 27 and, for all his lack of technical skill, he can hit hard. His punches might not have the finesse of a seasoned pro, but he’s been training to throw bombs, and he can pack a punch. So the question becomes: Can Mike Tyson take a clean shot from Jake Paul? Honestly, I’m not sure. Tyson had a decent chin back in his day, but at 58, can he still take those hits like he used to? That’s a real concern. And while Tyson might have the experience, the ability to roll with punches, and the sheer willpower to go in there, the reality is he’s up against a younger, fresher fighter who can bring a lot of heat.

The emotional side of this fight is what makes it tough for me. Tyson is a legend, a true icon of boxing, and his story is one of the most compelling in sports history. From a troubled youth in Brooklyn to becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, Tyson’s journey is etched in the fabric of boxing. But his story is also filled with tragedy—losing his mentor, Cus D’Amato, and falling victim to a world of exploitation. That’s part of what makes Tyson such a beloved figure. The idea of him coming back at 58 to fight a guy like Jake Paul, who’s spent most of his career picking fights with people who aren’t professional boxers, just feels wrong. It feels like a mismatch. And some people are saying, “Well, Mike’s got a shot, he’s still got that power.” But I think we need to be honest about what’s at stake here.

For Tyson, this fight could be a chance to recapture a bit of that old glory, a moment where he feels like a champion again. I get it. The money is huge, and Tyson’s not a kid anymore. He’s made a lot of mistakes in his life, and maybe this is a chance for him to write a new chapter. But there’s something deeply unsettling about the idea of a 58-year-old man, who has been through so much in his life, being put in the ring with a much younger, stronger opponent for the sake of spectacle.

For Jake Paul, this fight is a golden business opportunity. No matter what happens, win or lose, Jake is going to get paid. And his brand is going to grow even more. He’s already positioned himself as a lightning rod for controversy, and a win over Mike Tyson, even a Tyson who’s well past his prime, would be another notch on his belt. But what kind of victory is it really? I don’t care what anyone says—if Jake knocks Tyson out, I don’t think it’s going to feel like a legitimate win. There’s no honor in beating up a 58-year-old man, no matter how much people try to frame it as a competitive fight. People are going to hate Jake even more for taking advantage of Tyson’s age.

There’s also the issue of Jake’s boxing career moving forward. Let’s not forget that Tyson is not the only legend out there. Jake Paul has built his career on knocking out people who aren’t professional boxers, and he’s even called out names like Canelo Alvarez, which is just laughable right now. He’s not at that level. And he knows it. He’s smart enough to know that he needs these “legend” fights to keep the hype going, but at some point, the matchmaking is going to catch up with him. Fighting a younger, top-tier boxer is going to be a whole different ball game for Jake.

Now, to be fair, I’ve supported Jake Paul in the past. I’ve seen him train, I’ve seen the work he’s put in, and I’ve always rooted for someone who defies the odds. But this is different. This is a fight that feels more like a cash grab than a legitimate sporting event. And I think both fighters are making big mistakes here, for different reasons.

The best-case scenario for this fight is that Tyson shows up and gives us a show. Maybe he still has some left in the tank and manages to put on a good performance, even if he loses. That would at least give us a competitive fight, and he could go out with some dignity. The worst-case scenario? Jake Paul knocks Tyson out early, and the whole thing becomes a mockery of boxing. The optics would be terrible. It would feel like we’re watching a legend’s legacy get trampled for the sake of an Instagram highlight reel.

So, who’s made the biggest mistake? Honestly, I think it’s both fighters. Tyson should’ve known better than to take this fight. He’s too old, and there’s too much risk to his health and his legacy. Jake, on the other hand, is fighting a man who has nothing left to prove. Beating Tyson at this point would be hollow, and people won’t give him the credit he’s hoping for. In the end, this fight feels like a lose-lose for both men, and it makes me uncomfortable.

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Do you think Tyson can pull off the unthinkable, or is Jake Paul just going to walk through him? Like, share, and subscribe to the Pain Game YouTube channel for more updates, and I’ll see you on the next one. Let’s just hope both men walk out of that ring safe, especially Mike Tyson. This is a fight that should’ve never happened, but now that it’s here, we’ll have to see how it unfolds.