Wrestling icon Goldberg is gearing up for his highly anticipated retirement match in 2025, but he’s keeping a close eye on how other legends handle their final moments in the spotlight. Reflecting on Mike Tyson’s recent fight against Jake Paul, Goldberg drew comparisons to his own preparation and the pressure to deliver at 58 years old.
Speaking on his CarCast podcast, Goldberg dissected Tyson’s performance in the ring at 58, admitting the boxing legend looked drained during his match. “The first thing that goes is your body, the last thing that goes is your mind,” Goldberg said. “Tyson may have wanted to do better… but there is only so much you can do. I don’t think his legs were under him by any stretch… He didn’t look stable leg-wise. He looked like he was drained.”
Goldberg acknowledged the immense pressure athletes face to meet expectations, especially in their final appearances. “It’s a lot of pressure,” he said. “I’m in a fictitious business, and there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me just to show up in the condition people remember me in.”
Despite initial skepticism, Goldberg admitted he gained respect for Jake Paul after watching the match, praising the YouTuber-turned-boxer for showing restraint. “Actions speak louder than words… The piece of s*** that he portrays to many people couldn’t pull the trigger [to hurt Tyson], and I commend him for that.”
Unlike Tyson’s quick return to the ring, Goldberg is taking a methodical approach to prepare for his final bout. “I’ve got a number of months to get ready for something that will take 15 minutes in the ring,” he explained. “This time, I’m actually getting some prep time… I will have five times as much time to prepare than I have for any other match.”
Goldberg has also been focused on recovery, citing improvements in his shoulder, neck, and knee health: “My shoulder is in a better position months before I have to perform than it was days before leading up to matches in the past. That is a huge change.”
Goldberg’s retirement match represents a rare opportunity for the legend to dictate his own ending. “There are few things in the world that you get the opportunity to plan out yourself as far as an end game,” he said. “I get to help plan it. That’s pretty awesome.”
Goldberg’s retirement match is already generating buzz, and with his laser-focused preparation, it’s clear he’s ready to go out on his own terms. Whether he can deliver the high-impact performance fans expect—or if age catches up with him—remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on The Icon when he steps into the ring for the last time.
What do you think about Goldberg’s comparisons to Mike Tyson? Will his meticulous preparation pay off, or is age the ultimate rival? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.