- Mike Tyson made return to the ring against Jake Paul in a losing effort on Friday
- The 58-year-old received an important phone call shortly before his entrance
Mike Tyson received an important phone call just minutes before walking out to face Jake Paul in his first professional fight for nearly two decades.
19 years after hanging up his gloves following a disappointing loss to Irish journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005, Tyson returned to the ring on Friday to take on social media star Jake Paul.
The bout was broadcast live worldwide on Netflix in a first for the streaming giant, as fans tuned in to see if the former undisputed champion could roll back the years against an opponent 31 years his junior.
Ultimately though Tyson was unable to score an upset against Paul as he lumbered around the ring and lacked the explosive movement that was so integral to his effectiveness during his fighting prime.
Paul managed to remain safely at range throughout the eight two-minute rounds, peppering his opponent with punches en route to a lopsided unanimous decision win.
Tyson landed just 18 punches during the controversial bout, and did not appear at the post-fight press conference.
Mike Tyson received a good luck call from Turki Alalshikh prior to his clash with Jake Paul
Saudi boxing chief is said to be a ‘big supporter’ of the former undisputed heavyweight king
Despite suffering a lopsided decision loss, Tyson hinted his return to the ring may not be over
However, a member of his team revealed that shortly before making his entrance Tyson had received a call from Saudi boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh.
‘He got a phone call from a good friend of his and a big supporter, his excellency Turki Alalshikh, when he was in the locker room just before he went out,’ Tyson’s team revealed.
‘His excellency wished him the best and told him how proud of him he was and gave him a big pep talk.’
Despite the disappointing showing, Tyson insisted post-fight that he was ‘happy’ with his performance and indicated that his return to the sport he once ruled may not be over yet.
Speaking in-ring following the defeat Tyson even hinted at a potential future clash with Jake’s brother, WWE star Logan Paul.
Speaking to Mail Sport after the fight, Jake’s brother Logan said of Tyson: ‘I think Jake let him live.’
He added: ‘He’s tough, proud of him, weathered the storm against a young brute named Jake Paul.’
Asked whether he would take the fight against Tyson he simply said: ‘No!
‘I think he wants money, I don’t think he wants to fight me.’
