The past fighter to share a professional boxing ring with Mike Tyson has predicted that he will stop Jake Paul on Friday evening.

At 58 years old Tyson fights as a professional for the first time in 19 years – in an ill-advised contest against the 27-year-old Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

On that occasion in 2005, Ireland’s Kevin McBride was his opponent. After Tyson had been stopped by Danny Williams – his last victory came against Clifford Etienne in 2003 – McBride had been identified as the opposition he required if his reputation was going to be rebuilt. McBride regardless stopped him in six rounds, ensuring he would remain inactive until 2024.

The combination of Paul’s youth, activity and profile, complemented by Tyson’s advancing years and concerns surrounding his health, have contributed to a wider expectation that Paul will win convincingly. 

McBride, seven years Tyson’s junior, regardless favours Tyson for victory because of what he expects to remain his heavy hands – he hasn’t forgotten the power he felt that night in Washington, where one of the most celebrated of all careers was long thought to have finally reached its end.

“Even though Tyson wasn’t the same fighter he was in his prime, he still hit pretty hard,” McBride told BoxingScene. “People don’t realise – George Foreman proved it against Michael Moorer. That’s the last thing that leaves you – your power. You might lose a bit of speed and mobility, but Tyson wanted to win so bad. 

“He hit me so hard I thought there was leprechauns playing drums in me head. I got hold of him and said, ‘If that’s all you got you’re in trouble’. Then he tried to bite my nipple off – I was in the most excruciating pain. I pulled away from him and my nipple slipped on his mouthpiece. I’m glad he didn’t have to spit out the mouthpiece or I’d have been the Irish guy with one nipple.

“If he’s in great shape – I’m sure Jake Paul’s in great shape, ‘cause he’s active – once you go in the ring, something can change. You’re a killer; you want that guy out of there. Tyson’s not going to be messing around.

“I’ve said Tyson will knock him out – that’s my opinion. Jake Paul – [Tommy] Fury beat him. 

“I don’t think Jake Paul has the power to affect Tyson. Tyson’s going to affect him with his power. He does have youth with him – anything can happen in the boxing ring. Everybody said, ‘Kevin McBride was going to get killed’. I changed a chapter in the boxing history books. 

“I’d fight Jake Paul tonight – and I haven’t trained in months.”

It was in 2023 when Paul lost for the first time, to Tommy Fury – the unremarkable half-brother of the former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson. 

In 2020, in a reflection of the chaotic world being shaped by the Covid pandemic, Tyson fought in an exhibition against the once-great Roy Jones Jnr, on an evening when expectations were perhaps surpassed.

“Tyson looked very good against Roy Jones,” said McBride, who in retirement paves roads. “It was more like a sparring session – an exhibition. But Mike Tyson’s unbelievable – he’s a legend. It’s hard to criticise him.

“I’m 51, and I wouldn’t think [age] would be a big factor. Mike Tyson’s going to stop him early. Tyson with his power is unbelievable. If he hits Jake Paul on the chin, it’ll be, ‘Good night’.

“If it’s Mike Tyson [who wins], I’d come out of retirement and take him on.”