Boxer, 59, out to avenge Mike Tyson's Jake Paul loss backs up KO victory with another win

Veteran boxer Oliver McCall has backed up his claim to take on Jake Paul and gain revenge on behalf of Mike Tyson after winning yet another fight.

McCall, who famously knocked out Lennox Lewis back in 1994, returned to the ring after several months on Tuesday to win his latest bout via early stoppage. Despite now being 59 years old, he turned on the style in Nashville for a clash against 52-year-old fellow American Gary Cobia.

McCall was declared the winner as his opponent refused to continue the fight following a dominant first round by the victor. The event marked McCall's 61st professional boxing win, with 40 of those coming via knockout.

'The Atomic Bull' actually became the oldest former heavyweight champion to win a professional boxing match in November last year when he comfortably beat 54-year-old journeyman Stacy Frazier. McCall's resurgence could now spell trouble for social media star Paul, however, after he called out the YouTube icon after beating Frazier.

While his win over Frazier marked his return to the ring after a five-year hiatus, that didn't stop him from trying to organise his next bout, just days after Paul had beaten Tyson in Arlington, Texas. Asked if he still planned to compete, McCall sounded optimistic, and when someone in the crowd shouted out Paul’s name as a potential contender, he appeared to be more than receptive to the suggestion.

Oliver McCall (left) began fighting in 1985

“I’d knock Jake Paul out,” McCall said. While he then confused Jake with his brother Logan, believing it was Logan that knocked out NBA veteran Nate Robinson, rather than Jake, he seemed to have a fire burning for the 28-year-old.

“I want to get revenge for Nate Robinson and then Mike Tyson, for what [Jake did] with Mike Tyson. That would be awesome," he added. While McCall was engaging in just his third fight since 2014 this week, Tyson’s showdown with Paul was his first pro fight since 2005.

'Iron Mike', aged 58, went head-to-head with the 'Problem Child' at the AT&T Stadium on November 15 in a clash that was watched around the world on Netflix. However, over eight rounds, he was outperformed and lost via unanimous decision, appearing sluggish on the night in the ring.

Jake Paul fought Mike Tyson in November (

Image:

Getty Images for Netflix A 2024)

Given Tyson's age and his absence from professional boxing for almost 20 years, it wasn't entirely a shock that Paul ran out victorious over the former WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion. The fight also led to heavy criticism for Paul, yet it has not stopped the social media star from hunting down his next opponent.

Linked with the likes of former MMA star Conor McGregor, boxing great Canelo Alvarez, IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubios and even heavyweight icon Roy Jones Jr, Paul doesn't appear to be short of suitors. Jones Jr even told TMZ that he would be willing to "test Paul's chin" in the wake of his victory over Tyson.

However, for now, despite appearing to stoke the flames of a potential fight with his brother Logan, it appears talk of any clash was actually a marketing gimmick for Paul's next venture – a reality TV show. It means any proposed fight with McCall will likely have to wait.