Nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years following his retirement, 58-year-old Mike Tyson will make his long-awaited return to the boxing ring this Friday. The legendary former heavyweight champion will face off against 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

This fight, which was initially scheduled for July but postponed due to Tyson’s medical issue, has generated widespread criticism in the boxing community. Tyson, known for his dominance in the late 1980s, last fought professionally in 2005. His recent health scare, when he was treated for a bleeding ulcer earlier this year, has raised alarms among promoters and fans, questioning the wisdom of Tyson stepping back into the ring at his age.

Prominent figures like British promoter Eddie Hearn have voiced their concerns, stating that Tyson’s return is reckless. “Mike Tyson retired from boxing 20 years ago and was already worn out,” Hearn remarked. “If anyone thinks Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no concern for him, or you’re being reckless.”

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Despite the backlash, Tyson has remained unfazed, claiming his critics are driven by jealousy. “I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson confidently declared. “Those who criticize wish they were in my place.”

The 58-year-old’s confidence has been bolstered by an intense training camp, which he believes has revealed that he’s tougher than he initially thought. “When I agreed to this fight, I thought, ‘What was I thinking?’ But I completed the process. The fight is the celebration. All the hard work is done.”

On the other hand, Jake Paul, who boasts a professional record of 10 wins and 1 loss, is feeling confident heading into the bout. Paul, known for his unorthodox entry into the sport, is eager to make a statement against the former champ. “I feel really good, sharp, powerful, and explosive. It’s going to be a short night for Mike,” Paul stated.

Despite the excitement surrounding the event, many worry that Tyson, once known for his ferocious power and speed, no longer retains the skills that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 years old. Boxing veteran Bob Arum, 92, bluntly expressed his doubts: “A 58-year-old man, no matter how good or athletic they were, can’t compete at that level anymore.”

As Tyson steps back into the spotlight for this high-profile bout, the boxing world remains split on whether this match should even be happening—fueling debate about the risks involved in allowing aging athletes to return to the ring.