Mike Tyson will return to the ring to face Jake Paul on July 20 in Arlington, Texas.

Mike Tyson has hit back at critics of his upcoming fight with Jake Paul, claiming they are “jealous” of both him and his opponent.

Tyson, 57, will return to the ring to face Paul, 27, on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The fight has divided opinion among fans, with some delighted to see Tyson make his return to professional boxing, and others questioning the safety of the bout.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson has not fought since drawing with Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition match in 2020, while his last professional bout came back in 2005 against Kevin McBride, when he was beaten in six rounds.

His decision to return to the ring has attracted criticism, with British boxing icons Eddie Hearn, Ricky Hatton and Carl Froch among those to question the fight.

Tyson has now responded to his critics, telling Reuters (via The Mirror): “I’m 58 and what? I’m getting billions of views from just talking to somebody about fighting. Everybody, even most of the athletes, they’re jealous, that’s whack.

“I say in your prime you couldn’t draw a million people, man. What are you talking, you couldn’t sell out arena. Who at 58 could sell out an 80,000-seat arena?

“Why you think he wants to fight me and not anybody else? Everybody wants to fight him, all the boxers want to fight him. But if he fought them the only people that will come are the people that like him.

“The other guys, their parents might not even come watch them. That’s just keeping it real. They’re too boring for their children to watch, it’s like watching grass grow.”

It is yet to be confirmed if the fight will be fully professional, a non-judged fight with pro rules or an exhibition bout.

Mike Tyson will return to the ring in June (Image: Getty)

Communications Manager for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, Tela Mange, said the only information they have received about the card so far is the date.

“The promoter will need to submit proposed cards before we determine whether a particular contest would be considered as an exhibition or a professional fight, or how a proposed exhibition might be structured. We can also request additional testing if we think it’s appropriate,” Mange told USA Today Sports.