When did Mike Tyson retire? And why is he coming back to fight Jake Paul?

Remembering why Mike Tyson has said he’s coming out of retirement at 58 to fight Jake Paul is like trying to remember all of his knockouts.

A few of Tyson’s explanations:

“Because I can.’’

“Because it’s easy.’’

“Because I started Jake’s career and I’m going to end it.’’

To better understand why Tyson is expected to climb into the ring Nov. 15 for a heavyweight bout to be livestreamed by Netflix, it’s best to look back – by almost two decades.

A crowd of 15,472 rose to its feet and roared when Mike Tyson entered the ring at MCI Center in Washington, D.C. on June 11, 2005. Ten months after suffering a fourth-round knockout against Danny Williams, he was matched up against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

At 6-6 and 271 pounds, McBride towered over the 5-10, 133-pound Tyson. But as announcer Steve Albert put it during the "Showtime" broadcast, most people felt Tyson couldn’t lose the fight “even if he tried.’’

Muhammad Ali visited Tyson in his dressing room before the fight began. Later, the Greatest sat among the boisterous crowd and witnessed the unimaginable.

'Enough,' said Tyson's trainer

Tyson started slow, and McBride clubbed him with a few right hands. With 10 seconds left in the round, Albert told TV viewers, “Many thought it would be over by now.’’

It was just getting started.

Fighting in spurts, Tyson later unleashed his signature fury. He also landed a low blow, drawing a warning from referee Joe Cortez. Then tried to injure McBride’s left arm in the clinch, drawing another warning from Cortez. Opened a cut over McBride’s left eye with an intentional headbutt, prompting Cortez to deduct two points from Tyson from each of the scorecards.

McBride pushed Tyson to the ground before the sixth round ended.

Tyson struggled to get to his feet before returning to his corner and sitting on the stool.

Moments later, the referee approached. "That's it?’’

“Enough,’’ replied Tyson’s trainer, Jeff Fenech. Tyson did not object even through it turned out his was leading on two of three judges' scorecards.

Soon after, Tyson joined Jim Gray for an in-ring interview.

“I just don't have this in my heart anymore,’’ he said.

"Did you feel as through you had it coming into the fight," Gray asked.

“No, I'm just fighting to take care of my bills basically,’’ said Tyson, who had filed for bankruptcy in 2003.

A plan accepted by the bankruptcy court called for Tyson to fight at least seven times to help pay off his debts: $18 million to the IRS and $10 million to other creditors, according to court records.

But that was his last pro fight -- until now -- and Tyson has said the IRS never attempted to collect the money he owed.

Tyson vs. Paul: The Comeback

March 7. That day the official announcement came. Tyson would be fighting again, this time against Paul.

Not in an exhibition like he did with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, it turned out. But rather in a pro bout sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Once again, it’s a good time to look back.

In 2020, Tyson credited the use of psychedelics for helping him give up cocaine and alcohol, improve relationships with his family, lose more than 100 pounds and step back into the boxing ring. Paul and others refer to Tyson as "Uncle Mike,'' reflecting the warmth rather than menace Tyson often emits.

"I think that Mike deserves a medal for being able to change his life so dramatically,'' Fenech said. "I mean, it's one of the greatest stories in the history of anything.''

Tyson and Jones, who went eight rounds in a split draw as scored by celebrity judges, generated 1.6 million pay-per-views at $49.99 a pop, according to fight organizers.

Now, Tyson says he doesn’t need any money, and he's not fighting for the payday. But don't forget he's had far less money and still managed to squander it all.

In 2003, he declared for bankruptcy despite having made $400 million boxing. Since then, he been part of failed projects such as Tyson Ranch, a proposed cannabis-themed resort in California – and thriving projects – Tyson 2.0, his current cannabis company that replaced the initial flop.

Tyson has dismissed the importance of money. But during a 2022 episode of the former podcast, “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson,” he said his wife, Kiki, wanted money for security. They have two children, 15-year-old daughter Milan, and 13-year-old son Morocco, and Tyson has four grown children from other relationships.

“What is security?” Tyson asked on the podcast.

Tyson is expected to make $20 million from his fight with Paul. While training, at least once he said he felt like he was 25 again. As opposed to the 38-year who intentionally headbutted Kevin McBride, hit McBride with a low blow and let frustration overtake him not unlike the night he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear.

Facing the question about why he would return to boxing at 58, Tyson has offered a variety of answers. But this is undeniable: Tyson has an opportunity revise the ugly end of his career, and, at the same time, cash a very big check.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Tyson quit on a stool. Then came long road back to fight Paul