It was June 1984. A young, wide-eyed Mike Tyson, all intensity and raw power, walked into the Tarrant County Convention Center ring, ready to make his mark on the world. But like any Tyson story, it didn’t unfold quite as expected. Instead of victory, he walked away surrounded by controversy — a controversy that would become his lifelong companion as he blazed his own chaotic trail through the boxing world.
Now, 40 years later, Tyson is back in DFW, steps away from where it all started, preparing for what might just be the final chapter of his career. And in Tyson fashion, controversy is riding shotgun. On Friday, Nov. 15, at AT&T Stadium — the house that Jerry built — "Iron Mike" will take on 27-year-old social media sensation turned professional boxer, Jake Paul. And like many big events in 2024, it's set to be livestreamed on Netflix at 7 p.m. CT.
This showdown was originally set for July 20, a date circled in bold red on the boxing calendar. But about six weeks out, Tyson found himself doubled over in agony at 30,000 feet, an ulcer roaring back to life mid-flight to L.A., landing him in the hospital instead of the ring. He bounced back, as Tyson does, but had to dial down the intensity in his camp — which meant the fight got pushed back to November 15.
The fight? Eight rounds, two minutes each. Boxing gloves? An unusually hefty 14 ounces. And that’s just the start of the drama. On Wednesday, during a press conference at Toyota Music Factory, Paul, in classic Paul fashion, placed a million-dollar bet. It didn’t end there. He doubled down on his smack talk, offering million-dollar side bets to any undercard fighter who dared say he’d lose.
Tyson, though, kept it vintage — all quiet menace and simmering intensity. “I’ve said everything I had to say,” he shrugged, unimpressed by the show. Jake Paul’s bravado, his gaudy diamond ear cover (a wink and a jab at Tyson’s infamous Holyfield bite), couldn’t draw a response from the stoic legend. Paul tried again, calling Tyson "cute" and saying he wanted "the old savage Mike.” But Tyson had nothing more to add.
As the questions came, Tyson's silence felt like a throwback to his early days. Back then, he was a storm brewing on the sidelines. When asked what he’d do if he lost, he finally broke, delivering a low, icy promise: “I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?”
It’s the kind of comeback we’ve come to expect from Tyson, a man whose life has been anything but quiet. He’s weathered years of scandal, a prison sentence, and one infamous 1997 moment that’s been seared into the collective sports memory. But Tyson’s roots? They’re as gritty and iconic as he is.
In 1984, Tyson was a young fighter training under Cus D’Amato, his mentor and the man who shaped him. That summer, he clashed with Henry Tillman twice, and twice he lost, despite putting Tillman on the canvas in round one of his second match. The crowd didn’t agree with the judges, nor did D’Amato, who roared, “Everybody’s going to hear about this.
They did.
D’Amato and trainer Kevin Rooney fought back, accusing the Olympic judges of politics. And Tillman himself, feeling the pressure, reminded the world that in Olympic boxing, a jab counted as much as a knockout punch.
Tillman would go on to take gold in the 1984 Olympics in the heavy weight boxing category, while Tyson would go on to a controversial career. On Friday night, Tyson will step back into the ring just down the road from where his story first took root, with the weight of his career on his shoulders and an entire world watching.
In an article by the late Fort Worth Star Telegram writer Gaylyn Wilkins, he likened Tyson’s skills at age 18, to that of “someone who fights in a dark alley.” This means Tyson is used to heavy fighting both inside and out of the ring. He’s been underestimated before, but this time, he’s playing for keeps.
Full Fight Card:
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson (heavyweight)
Katie Taylor (defending C) vs Amanda Serrano 2 (undisputed women’s super-lightweight titles)
Mario Barrios (interim C) vs Abel Ramos (WBC welterweight title)
Shadasia Green vs Melinda Watpool (vacant women’s WBO super-middleweight title)
Lucas Bahdi vs Armando Casamonica (lightweight)
Bruce Carrington vs Dana Coolwell (featherweight)
Neeraj Goyat vs Whindersson Nunes (middleweight)
