Nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years after retiring due to a brutal defeat, 58-year-old Mike Tyson is set to return to the ring on Friday for a Netflix-sponsored bout that has sparked widespread criticism within the boxing community. Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight division in the late 1980s, will face off against YouTuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The match, consisting of eight two-minute rounds, was originally scheduled for July but was postponed in May after Tyson experienced a medical emergency on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles, where he vomited blood due to a bleeding ulcer.

This incident has only fueled the concerns of many critics who view Friday's event as a dangerous and exploitative spectacle. Tyson's last professional fight was in 2005, where he was defeated via technical knockout by Irish journeyman Kevin McBride. Prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn expressed his disapproval, stating, "If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you're an idiot. It shouldn't be happening." His rival promoter Frank Warren echoed similar sentiments, calling the fight "ridiculous."

Despite the widespread criticism, Tyson has dismissed concerns about his health, attributing the negative reactions to jealousy. At an open workout in Texas, he declared, "I'm tougher than I believed I was." During a final press conference, Tyson remained stoic, simply stating, "I'm just ready to fight." The bout will be streamed live on Netflix for UAE residents on November 16 at 5am.

Jake Paul, who gained fame as a YouTuber before transitioning to boxing, has won 10 of his 11 fights, with seven by knockout. He expressed confidence in his abilities, predicting a quick victory over Tyson. However, legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum, 92, is certain that Tyson's prime is long past, stating, "A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight."

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