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Expect a spectacle of low farce rather than high drama as an overhyped YouTube personality clashes with a fighter approaching the age of retirement benefits.
Author of the article:
Jack Todd • Special to Montreal Gazette
Published Nov 15, 2024 • Last updated 19 hours ago • 4 minute read
In an electrifying weigh-in event held at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Texas, legendary boxer Mike Tyson and social media star Jake Paul recently squared off, with Tyson playfully slapping Paul as tensions flared. Photo by Christian Petersen /Getty Images
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On that fateful night of October 16, 1987, I found myself perched near ringside in the Atlantic City Convention Center, which, despite the grandeur of the evening, was surprisingly sparsely populated before the headline attraction—Mike Tyson taking on Tyrell Biggs for the heavyweight championship—got underway, as I anticipated a thrilling undercard bout featuring Montreal’s homegrown talent, Matthew Hilton.
Amidst the anticipation, a gentle tap on my shoulder broke my focus. Turning around, I encountered a man traversing the press row, warmly shaking hands with reporters as he passed. Standing up, I registered a blond figure a couple of inches shorter than my own stature; it was none other than Donald Trump. I shook his hand, and the moment slipped my mind like a fleeting breeze.
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Fast forward to 37 years later, and it feels like we are trapped in a surreal time loop. Mike Tyson is gearing up for another comeback fight, while the man who once shook my hand is poised to unleash his unpredictable chaos back into the political landscape. The bizarre intertwining of Tyson’s exhibition and a tumultuous political environment creates a disconcerting juxtaposition filled with foreboding yet oddly surreal undertones.
It’s hard to rationalize the logic of Tyson’s upcoming bout with Jake Paul. Despite other states rightly refusing to sanction such a mismatch, Texas has approved an eight-round exhibition featuring two-minute rounds and heavy gloves, a move apparently designed to mitigate the risk of serious injury—though it’s somewhat unclear whether the cushioning provided is meant to protect Tyson from Paul or vice versa.
To call this matchup low farce rather than an authentic boxing contest underscores the absurdity of a clash between a social media influencer—a so-called YouTube “palooka”—and a former world champion well into his retirement years, dangerously teetering on the cusp of eligibility for Social Security benefits.
Although Jake Paul has garnered a following, it’s worth noting that the boxing ring is filled with far more deserving fighters laboring for scant pay while holding aspirations of greatness. At the time you read this, the outcome of Tyson vs. Paul may already be known; as for me, I will remain blissfully unaware—I’ve chosen not to waste my time watching this spectacle.
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Reflecting on that night back in 1987, I can confidently assert that against the Mike Tyson I witnessed, Jake Paul would have probably struggled to make it through the first round. Tyson, only 21 at the time, was a formidable force who made a seismic impact on the boxing landscape. Watching archival footage today, Tyson, though listed as 5-foot-10, appears surprisingly diminutive next to Biggs, who towered over him.
“He’s never fought anyone like me,” Biggs notoriously boasted before the fight. “He’s strong, but his strength will not hurt me.” How wrong he was on every account. Just two months prior, Tyson fought a competitor with a style similar to Biggs—Tony Tucker, who was both more seasoned and talented. Tucker landed a punishing uppercut that left Tyson momentarily reeling, yet he survived the full twelve rounds only to lose in a decision.
Biggs, however, would not have the privilege of enduring that long. Witnessing Tyson in action from ringside during those times was both exhilarating and intimidating. Before fights and during intervals, Tyson would sit steadfastly on his stool, glaring ominously at his opponent, exuding an electrifying presence as he rolled his powerful neck back and forth.
From the moment the bell rang, Tyson launched himself at Biggs. There was no hesitation or cautious exploration; Tyson came out swinging. Biggs attempted to mimic Tucker’s dance and jab routine, but to far less effect. Tyson responded with gut-wrenching body shots reminiscent of a batter demolishing a heavy bag, their impact echoing through the arena.
With 30 seconds remaining in the seventh round, Tyson unleashed a devastating left hook that caught Biggs off guard, sending him dangerously close to the ropes. Although Biggs managed to get back on his feet, it proved to be a mistake, as Tyson struck again with another crunching left hook that sent Biggs staggering into the corner. Referee Tony Orlando had no choice but to step in and halt the fight.
At the post-fight news conference, a reporter posed a question: Why did Tyson wait so long to finish Biggs when victory seemed inevitable? Tyson’s response revealed both his intensity and sense of honor: “When I hit him in the stomach,” Tyson recounted in his distinctively high-pitched voice, “he screamed like a woman and I wanted to hear him scream.”
Over the years, the narrative surrounding Tyson has turned increasingly tragic. He faced exploitation by figures like Robin Givens and Don King, endured humiliating defeats—such as the shocking loss to Buster Douglas in February 1990 that shattered his invincible persona—and dealt with atrocities, including a conviction for rape that led to a three-year prison sentence. His return from incarceration saw him regain his championship title, but it was marred by the infamous incident in June 1997, where, frustrated by Evander Holyfield’s dominance, he bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear.
Since that turbulent past, Tyson has not risen to a stable equilibrium. Amidst this chaotic backdrop, a woman has recently made a $5-million lawsuit allegation against him, claiming he raped her within a limousine in the 1990s. The veracity of these claims remains shrouded in uncertainty—who can say what is true in such a tangled affair?
If you feel compelled to witness this farcical display posing as a boxing match, by all means, do so. As for me, I will categorically decline. The only scenario that would entice me to watch Tyson engage in combat again is if his competitor were none other than Donald Trump.
Note: Due to an editing oversight, an earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Mike Tyson’s opponent. Tyson’s upcoming fight against Jake Paul is scheduled for Friday night in Arlington, Texas, and will be available for streaming on Netflix. The Gazette sincerely regrets this mistake.
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