Mike Tyson, one of the most iconic yet infamous names in boxing, steps back into the ring for a controversial fight against YouTuber boxer and general controversy-inducing figure Jake Paul.

Tyson, who was nicknamed ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ earlier in his career, is certainly no stranger to controversy. He is 31 years older than Paul but still brings heavyweight to the bout, which will be broadcast live on November 15 after four years of planning – and an unexpected delay when Tyson’s ulcer flare-up derailed the original July match date.

Tyson is now ready to explode.

“I’m not saying this from a selfish perspective. I’m just saying you have a YouTuber with 70 million fans. No champion has so many fans. And I’m the greatest fighter since the beginning of life, so what does that mean now? That creates an explosion of excitement,” Tyson recently explained when asked why he wanted to take Paul into the ring. “That’s what life is about: making the biggest impact before you die.”

Whether you’re heading into the fight as a Jake Paul fan who doesn’t know much about Tyson, a longtime boxing fan in need of a refresher, or a casual spectator who just wants to know what the heck is going on, here’s what you you should remember Tyson’s fighting record and what happened in his last professional boxing match.

How old is Mike Tyson?

Mike Tyson, born on June 30, 1966, is 58 years old.

He made his professional boxing debut at the age of 18, defeating Hector Mercedes in the first round of their fight on March 6, 1985.

Tyson won his first 19 fights by knockout, 16 of them in the first round, and became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history in 1986 when he KO’d defending champion Trevor Berbick. From 1987 to 1990, he became the undisputed heavyweight champion.

That means he was a heavyweight champion long before Jake Paul was even born. Paul was born on January 17, 1997 and is now 27 years old. There is a 31 year age difference between Paul and Tyson.

When was Mike Tyson’s last fight?

Mike Tyson’s last fight was an exhibition match against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020, and was not part of the official competition. The eight-round fight had a no-knockout clause and ended in a somewhat controversial split draw, with boxing fans heavily favoring Tyson as the winner.

What does Jones have to say about Tyson’s chances in the fight with Jake Paul? In a recent interview, the boxing great said Tyson was “as strong as ever” and “very elusive” during their 2020 bout. When it comes to Paul’s chances, Jones asked a simple question: “If Jake Paul wrestled Tommy Fury, how is he going to beat Mike Tyson?”

So it has only been four years since Mike Tyson was last in the ring, but that was not a competitive match. When we talk about Tyson’s last professional fight, we have to rewind much further, back to the mid-2000s.

When was Mike Tyson’s last professional fight?

It’s been 24 years since Mike Tyson’s last professional fight, which took place on June 11, 2005, against Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride. Tyson was nearing the end of his legendary career after serving time in prison for rape and facing several controversies (including the infamous night he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear). The McBride fight took place at the MCI Center in Washington, DC, and was billed as Tyson’s chance to make a comeback after his loss to Danny Williams the year before. But, as we know, that is not what happened.

What happened during Mike Tyson’s last fight?

The short version? Tyson lost the fight and retired from boxing in the aftermath.

The longer version is that the fight against Kevin McBride ended when Mike Tyson’s corner threw in the towel after the sixth round. Tyson struggled to maintain his stamina throughout the match and visibly fatigued, while McBride leaned on his size advantage and wore Tyson out. The loss was in stark contrast to the explosive dominance Tyson displayed in his prime, with his professional career ending with a fizzle, not a bang. You can read ESPN’s full recap of Tyson’s last professional fight here.

“I don’t have the courage to play this sport anymore,” Tyson said after the fight. “I don’t want to disrespect the sport I love. My heart doesn’t love this anymore. I’m sorry for the fans who paid for this. I wish I could have done better. I want to move on with my life. It’s time to move on with my life and become a father and take care of my children.”

In a recent interview with The Sun, Tyson’s latest opponent said: “Getting in the ring with Mike Tyson was like a dream come true for me… Dreams happen and that was my fairytale. It is a great claim to fame when I say that I defeated the most feared man in the world.

“Fair credit to Jake Paul for getting in the ring with him,” McBride added. “I don’t think Jake realizes it’s a different level.”

What is Mike Tyson’s fight record?

Mike Tyson (50-6) retired with a professional record of 50 wins (44 by knockout), 6 losses and 2 no-contests.

The post How old is Mike Tyson and when was his last fight? What You Need to Know Before ‘Iron Mike’ Steps into the Ring with Jake Paul first appeared on TheWrap.