The awkward truth behind Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

There won’t be any animosity or affection; the gloves are oversized, and the rounds will be brief when Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face off on Friday night.

It doesn’t matter if the fighters divide fifty million dollars during their carnival night in a Texas arena. This match represents one of the most straightforward grabs for cash in the gritty world of boxing; it’s purely about the money, not personal feelings. And there’s a lot of it at stake.

Now at 58, Tyson has changed quite a bit. His hair is graying, and his demeanor has softened along with his physique. The fierce remarks he tries to make often come off as insincere. But does it really matter? He was once Iron Mike, the youngest heavyweight champion ever, so let's give him the respect he deserves.

Paul has managed, through his distinctive approach, to derail the boxing careers of numerous UFC fighters, showcasing them as awkward brawlers in the ring. Now, this former child star is pursuing once-great champions of the sport. It resembles a Rocky film, but with a twist: can the seasoned champion overcome the youthful contender? This is a classic boxing story that never gets old.

It’s been labeled as a freak show, an event that lacks significance, a risk to Tyson’s wellbeing, and a blow to the integrity of boxing, especially since the fight was rescheduled after Tyson had a health scare. Let’s be real: this is merely a money-making venture, and there’s little risk of Tyson getting hurt. The referee, his team, or Tyson himself will call it off if he gets too tired, long before Paul’s punches with 14-ounce gloves can cause any real damage to the former champion. Of course, there’s a possibility that Tyson could land a punch and knock Paul out, which would make Paul the 45th opponent Tyson has stopped or knocked out in his 51 victories.

This is the Tyson who experienced both victories and defeats while claiming world championships, participating in some of boxing's most remarkable, shocking, and controversial matches. In contrast, Paul is merely an emerging talent with an online fan base. While he is a true contender, there are boundaries to the excitement surrounding him.

This is the same Tyson who famously bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear and spat it out, who also sank his teeth into Lennox Lewis's thigh and made disturbing threats about the British boxer’s children. He’s the same Tyson who attempted to snap Frans Botha’s arm. Since he was a teenager, he has been involved in bizarre fights and has been at the heart of the spectacle.

This isn't the first time he's stirred up chaos, nor is it the first occasion his fame has attracted a massive audience. On Friday, over 60,000 people are expected to gather at AT&T Stadium in Arlington to see one of the last performances in Mike Tyson's remarkable career. For the millions tuning in on Netflix, which has become the new hub for spectacle fights, this is an opportunity to experience Tyson’s greatness one last time. So far, the videos of him training in the gym—showing his fierce demeanor and quick reflexes during pad work—are only a couple of seconds long.

In 2020, Tyson took part in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. While he displayed moments of predictability and slowness, the fight still captivated audiences due to the remnants of the powerful and intimidating fighter he once was. Now that he's older, facing Paul presents a different challenge, as Paul is not the same as Jones Jr. The bout could be carefully planned, completely genuine, or perhaps a strange blend of both elements.

There's no escaping the presence of Paul and his bold assertions. He has made grand claims about his potential in the boxing arena, often discussing legendary fighters while focusing on former UFC competitors, bare-knuckle fighters, and celebrity boxers. With a record of 10 wins out of 11 bouts, he has enjoyed a successful and profitable career. In recent years, few boxers have earned as much as Paul has. His rise seems to ruffle the feathers of traditional boxing fans, but when he faced the undefeated Tommy Fury in 2023, they delivered an entertaining match, exchanging blows until the final bell after eight rounds. It's uncommon for two unbeaten fighters to go head-to-head—something that illustrates a flaw within the sport. Both Fury and Paul deserve recognition for their efforts, rather than criticism. Paul did manage to knock Fury down but ultimately lost a close decision. He accepted the defeat with poise and dignity, showing no tears.

As stated by the Texas Commission, the bout on Friday is scheduled for up to eight rounds. Each round will last two minutes instead of the usual three, and the fighters will wear 14oz gloves instead of the standard 10oz. It's important to note that even with larger gloves, a skilled and dangerous fighter can still deliver significant blows.

In a perfect world, this matchup wouldn't be taking place. Additionally, in that envisioned boxing paradise, the regulating organizations wouldn't engage in their questionable practices. They wouldn't permit champions to dodge fights against other top-tier fighters for extended periods, nor would they promote obscure boxers to number one rankings. And maybe, just maybe, they would bring the judges to task for consistently delivering absurd and frustrating scores in televised matches. Boxing is far from being flawless, but the clash between Tyson and Paul isn't going to damage its reputation any more than it already has.

The expectation is that Tyson comes out of this experience with his dignity intact, safe, and with a smile on his face, while Paul refrains from boasting. Although there will be some theatrics involved, we can also anticipate plenty of grappling and Tyson struggling against tiredness as he clings onto Paul for support. I never claimed it would be an easy sight to behold.