Mike Tyson's last hurrah, a resounding victory in defeat!

Raju Korti
I have never been particularly drawn to the brutal theatrics of boxing. The ring, with its violent dances of power and precision, feels both electrifying and unnerving. Yet, like many, I have found myself captivated by figures like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier among others, whose lives outside the ropes have often been as compelling as their careers inside them. And then, there's Mike Tyson -- a man whose story is less a boxing saga and more a rollercoaster of triumph, controversy, redemption, and spectacle. 

On Friday night, at 58 years old, a battle-scarred Tyson stepped into the ring for what he called "one last time". Squaring off against Jake Paul, a YouTube personality turned fighter, Tyson may have lost by unanimous decision, but this was far from defeat in the accepted, conventional sense. Before a crowd of 72,300 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and millions of viewers worldwide, Tyson demonstrated not only the unending allure of his persona but also the sheer resilience that has defined his life.

For someone who almost died just a few months ago, Tyson's appearance in the ring was an emphatic statement. It was not just sheer bravado and bluster that boxers are known for but also of unshakeable confidence. He revealed that a severe health crisis in June had left him debilitated and fighting for life -- losing half of his blood, enduring eight transfusions, and shedding 25 pounds while being laid low in a hospital. "I almost died", admitted Tyson. Yet, there he was toe-to-toe with an opponent less than half his age, in what he fittingly described a a victory in its own right.

It is as tempting as it is easy to criticise Jake Paul for orchestrating a fight with someone three decades his senior, or for taking his foot off the gas after the third round when Tyson's age began to show. However, there's another perspective worth considering: Paul's arrangement gave Tyson a controlled environment to bow out gracefully, not only avoiding serious harm but also walking away with a massive $20 million payday. It was, in its own way, a tribute to Tyson's legendary status -- a recognition of his place in boxing's pantheon. Little wonder then that Tyson proclaimed victory in that defeat.

Exuding raw masculinity and brute power, two characteristics that best describe any great boxer worth his salt, Tyson is often celebrated as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. A fighter whose ferocity and demonic strength redefined the sport. His explosive style in the ring was matched only by the sheer intimidation he exuded -- an aura he consciously modelled after his idol, Sonny Liston, the legendary "bad man" of boxing's past. Like Liston, Tyson blended unrelenting aggression with an enigmatic, often controversial persona that extended beyond the ropes, creating a mystique that both enthralled and unsettled fans. It did that to me, never a great votary of an activity described as sport. His life and career, a volatile mix of brilliance and chaos, mirrored the very essence of the sport he dominated, making him not just a champion but a symbol of boxing's primal intensity.

Tyson's career has been nothing short of a cinematic epic. From becoming the youngest heavyweight champion at 20 to his infamous bouts with Evander Holyfield (remember that ear-biting scandal) from the prison sentence that nearly destroyed him to his remarkable reinvention as a pop culture icon, Tyson has lived a life larger than life itself.

To me, what makes Tyson fascinating isn't just his triumphs and his controversies but his willingness to evolve. In his youth, Tyson was a force of nature -- unrelenting, intimidating, and unpredictable. Now, he has metamorphosed into a reflective elder statesman of the sport, candid about his struggles, health issues, and the inevitability of ageing. His acknowledgement of "losing but still winning" speaks to a newfound humility, an awareness that life's victories aren't always measured by trophies or score-cards.

Friday night's fight was less about boxing and more about a legacy. For Tyson, it was a chance to share a final moment in the spotlight, to remind the world of his enduring spirit, and to allow his children to witness their father's resilience. For the fans, it was it was a farewell to a man whose life story has been as captivating as any fight he has ever been in. For a diehard scribe like me who uses "flexing muscles" or "bulging biceps" only in figurative sense, he makes for an irresistible copy.

TAILPIECE
I am told that Jake Paul (27) after making short work of Tyson (58), has now set his eyes on Jimmy Carter (100).