Fight or farce – Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul.

My first thought when I heard Mike Tyson was fighting again was –

“What is this, Rocky Balboa”?

The movie, written and directed by Sylvester Stallone 18 years ago, had Rocky, around 58 or 59 like Tyson, returning to the squared circle in an exhibition fight against the reigning heavyweight champion.

Stallone made it work. The film is good.

As for Tyson fighting Paul – as John McEnroe once said, “You cannot be serious!”

Oh, but they are.

The fight or farce is a go this Friday.

Paul, a YouTube star and marketing genius, has had 11 professional fights, losing once against minor opposition.

His dedication seems sincere.

“I idolized Mike Tyson until the first time I met him 4 years ago,” said Paul.

“He called me Logan.”

That’s funny.

Tyson last boxed professionally 19 years ago. He lost to fringe contender Kevin McBride.

He retired soon after. Tyson looked shot – then.

Tyson was the youngest man (20) to win heavyweight honors in 1986.

He ruled the division until being knocked out by Buster Douglas in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Tyson regained the title in 1996, but not for long. Evander Holyfield took away a few months later.

Tyson has had financial difficulties for years. The Paul fight is a money grab, even though the former champion denies it.

Former champion Lennox Lewis, who fought Tyson over 20 years ago, believes the old guy still has enough left to defeat Paul.

“I was thinking Jake Paul was going to be in trouble because Mike Tyson knows how to throw big body shots, big head shots,” said Lewis.

Katie Taylor, whose rematch with Amanda Serrano is the real fight of the night, is troubled by the Tyson vs. Paul match.

“Yeah, there are concerns there,” Taylor told talkSPORT. “I don’t want to see [Tyson] getting hurt. A 58-year-old guy is fighting; I’m not a big fan of that. 

“He’s in there against a real young, fresh guy in Jake Paul–and he’s a good athlete as well.

Promoter Bob Arum doesn’t like Tyson’s chances.

“A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight,” Arum told Johnny Boy Boxing last month. “You can’t throw punches like you’re supposed to. You can’t do a lot of things. I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt.”

Former champion Roy Jones disagrees with Arum.

“It’s a young lion and an old lion,” Jones said in an interview with FightHype a few months ago “It gives Jake a chance, with Mike being as old as he is. I think it’s a great opportunity for both fighters, but I still think Mike is gonna be a little too much for Jake.”

The fight or farce is an eight-rounder.

Each round will last two minutes – instead of the standard three.

Tyson and Paul will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than customary gloves.

Typically, heavyweights wear 10oz gloves.

They should have just called it an exhibition.

Rocky lost in Rocky Balboa but maintained his dignity. Will Tyson do the same?