8-3-2024 (NEW YORK) Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson is set to step into the ring against YouTuber turned fighter Jake Paul in a highly anticipated boxing match scheduled for July 20. The bout, which will unfold in front of an 80,000-strong audience at the AT&T Stadium, the renowned home of the Dallas Cowboys, is making waves not only for the unusual pairing but also for being the first combat sports event to be broadcast live on Netflix.
Despite the three-decade age gap between the two fighters, both Tyson and Paul stand to reap significant financial rewards from this clash. The match, however, has sparked debates within the boxing community, with critics expressing concerns that such events may tarnish the reputation of a sport that was once regarded as a serious and disciplined pursuit.
In the financial realm, 27-year-old Paul, known for his rise from YouTube prankster to a legitimate boxer, earned approximately US$9 million from a loss in 2023 to boxer and reality TV star Tommy Fury. The upcoming bout against Tyson promises even greater financial gains for both fighters, showcasing Paul’s continued foray into the boxing arena.
Paul, with a record of 6-0 before his loss to Fury, has since bounced back with three consecutive victories, bringing his total fights to 10. Expressing his ambitions, he stated, “My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever, the baddest man on the planet, and the most dangerous boxer of all time. This will be the fight of a lifetime.”
In response, Tyson, now 57, acknowledged Paul’s growth as a boxer and emphasised the intriguing dynamic of their encounter. “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a kid can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT,” Tyson commented. “It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”
Paul had previously expressed interest in facing Tyson after his victory over former basketball player Nate Robinson in November 2020. The upcoming fight’s classification as an exhibition or an official professional match is yet to be determined and depends on the decision of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the governing body for fights in the state.
As Tyson, often referred to as the “baddest man on the planet,” gears up for this unique challenge at the age of 58, the bout is poised to be a captivating spectacle, blending the experience of a boxing legend with the ambition of a rising YouTube sensation turned pugilist.
