Yes, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is really happening -- here's what to expect

On March 7th, 2024 at 4:46 PM, the following blog post was published.

Guess what? Mike Tyson is making a comeback to the world of boxing. He's set to go up against Jake Paul on July 20th at the famous AT&T Stadium owned by the Dallas Cowboys located in Arlington, Texas.

Paul, who was originally known as a content creator on YouTube, has expressed interest in challenging actual professional boxers in order to eventually vie for the coveted world title. However, he has recently announced that instead of pursuing this goal, he will be facing off against Tyson - a veteran heavyweight champion and widely regarded as one of the greats in the sport's history. Despite Tyson's impressive track record, he has been out of the ring for almost two decades following his TKO defeat to Kevin McBride in June 2005. It is worth noting that Tyson will be 58 years old at the time of the fight.

In July 2020, Tyson had an eight-round exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr. The fight was better than expected, but no one was asking for a rematch. During his prime, Tyson was known as the "Baddest Man on the Planet" and was one of the most feared boxers. He was the youngest heavyweight champion ever and held that title undisputedly. After spending less than three years in jail for a rape conviction, he returned to the ring only five months after his release and won two fights before beating Frank Bruno for the WBC title in 1996.

When Paul began his boxing journey, he fought against other YouTubers and former MMA fighters. However, he suffered a split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. Determined to pursue a serious career in boxing, Paul announced a change of direction last August. He faced Nate Diaz, another MMA fighter, and emerged victorious. Since then, he has won two matches by first-round KO against Andre August and Ryan Bourland, competing in the cruiserweight category, which has a weight limit of 200 pounds.

All of this prompts us to inquire a single query: What is the reason behind this occurrence?

The opinions of Mike Coppinger, Marc Raimondi and Timothy Bradley Jr. were discussed.

Why The Fight? Isn't Tyson 60?

Despite his age, Tyson's popularity has not diminished. The fact that he hasn't fought professionally since 2005 doesn't change the fact that he continues to be one of the most recognizable figures in the world, not just in the field of athletics.

It's undeniable that Paul is among the most popular influencers on social media. Combining his influence with Mayweather's creates a colossal spectacle that is bound to attract a global audience, regardless of what traditional boxing fans may think.

Netflix has more than 260 million people who pay to use it all over the world. Because this isn't a "pay-per-view" event, it's possible that this boxing match could be the most-watched one of the whole century. That's really impressive. In 2015, when Mayweather fought against Manny Pacquiao, a lot of people paid to watch it on PPV - more than 4.6 million! - and set a record for the most purchases.

Gone are the times where Muhammad Ali would compete on ABC while a massive audience watched. The biggest boxing event, the Rumble in the Jungle, was speculated to have the most global viewership, but that was more than four decades ago in 1974. Even for Tyson, who became the most renowned boxer following Ali, his most significant matches were broadcasted on PPV.

Just to let you know, Tyson still appears to be really good, even though he's older now. He's in excellent physical condition and still exhibits an aggressive attitude during training. However, defeating Paul, who is actually a skilled boxer despite not being recognized for it, may not be as easy as it seems.

Boxing Bout: Exhibition Or Real Match?

In November 2020, Tyson and Jones Jr. had an exhibition match. It was evident that both legendary boxers were not throwing punches to harm one another. This is acceptable if the organizers are not attempting to deceive the audience into thinking it is a legitimate fight.

We're not sure if this upcoming fight will be authorized by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as a formal boxing match, or if it will be more of an exhibition style. However, it's important to note that Tyson will have reached the age of 58 come fight night. It's worth mentioning that Tyson-Jones set a precedent for events like this, where it's not always clear beforehand if it will be an official fight or just a display of skills.

Sometimes, exhibitions can turn into a clash where both parties attempt to harm one another. Take for example Vitor Belfort and Evander Holyfield's match in September of 2021: Belfort managed to knock out the veteran fighter in the first round.

In the summer of 2021, there was an exhibition featuring Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather. It was clear to anyone watching that neither of them intended to harm the other with their punches. This was mainly because the two fighters had a considerable weight difference of 35 pounds, making this anything but an authentic boxing match.

Back in October, Tyson Fury went up against Francis Ngannou in what was supposed to be a display fight but ended up being a genuine battle that affected the boxers' histories.

Given Tyson's age, it won't be unexpected if this is simply another showcase similar to when Jake's elder sibling battled Mayweather. A lighthearted affair featuring two superstars testing each other out in the boxing ring. However, only time will tell. -- Coppinger

Is This Fight Necessary?

It's no secret that everyone will make a significant amount of cash, and this boxing match will undoubtedly receive a lot of attention. However, it's not exactly ideal to witness the 60-year-old Mike Tyson take a beating from Jake Paul. This isn't a favorable outcome for Paul or Netflix as a whole. While some may assume that Tyson will come out on top, the reality is that Paul has a considerable size advantage, is physically fit, and is thirty years younger than Tyson. Paul has the upper hand in every way, realistically.

If both Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield agree to fight and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation approves Tyson's health, then no one can stop them. These kinds of events are common in combat sports and this one is particularly controversial. It would be best if the fight is labeled as an exhibition, where the two can have a friendly but physical sparring session, similar to Tyson vs. Jones Jr. Although Tyson and Jones Jr. were not throwing punches with harmful intent, the audience still enjoyed the event. Ultimately, this is all about entertaining the audience and not a serious sports competition, which is acceptable if understood as such.

Does This Fight Endanger Boxing's Core Values?

When I hear the mention of Jake Paul's name, I can't help but think of the phrase "Paper Tiger". This term describes someone who seems powerful but doesn't possess the essential abilities and knowledge to back it up. However, it's worth mentioning that Paul has made progress and demonstrated growth, attaining triumphs following his defeat to Tommy Fury.

As I consider the return of 57-year-old boxing icon Mike Tyson to the ring to face Paul, I can't help but reflect on the state of our beloved sport. In recent years, we boxing enthusiasts have witnessed a significant shift towards commercialization and entertainment, rather than upholding the traditional values of the sport, such as the emphasis on amateur development, honed skills, discipline, and professionalism. Sadly, we are seeing more crossovers, show matches, and celebrity boxing matches overshadowing the true essence of boxing.

These changes may attract more interest to our sport and result in more money for fighters. However, I would like to raise a concern for all those involved: What happened to the honesty and ethicality of boxing? In the past, being recognized as a boxing world champion meant a lot. In a recent featherweight match held in Verona, New York, Raymond Ford's impressive comeback knockout victory over Otabek Kholmatov with just seven seconds left shows what real boxing is all about. The idea of matching up Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is not only a joke but also undermines the genuine nature of professional boxing.

Did Paul Deviate From His Goal Of Fighting Real Boxers To Become A World Champion?

After Paul's single loss as a pro to Tommy Fury through split-decision last year, he decided to concentrate on his main area of expertise, which is battling MMA contenders. Paul managed to defeat Nate Diaz with ease in August. He then declared that he would be performing against "legitimate boxers" to enhance his skills in a conventional way.

The "genuine fighters" were definitely not at the same caliber as Paul's opponents in Mixed Martial Arts such as Diaz, Ben Askren, and significantly Anderson Silva. Nevertheless, Jake's cross-discipline events were becoming less popular and it created a storyline that made sense. By knocking out some boxers who only boxed part-time, but had gained some victories - similar to how top boxers like Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis did in their early careers - it would help Jake move towards a title fight.

In December, Paul managed to knock down the journeyman, August, in the first round, and then he went on to knock down another similar opponent, Bourland, in the first round through TKO on Saturday. However, those fights didn't seem to grab much attention.

Paul has likely made a wise decision by returning to his strength and participating in a high-profile circus match against another prominent individual. It remains uncertain if Paul will pursue his initial objective of earning the cruiserweight championship title. However, his upcoming event with Tyson is expected to contribute positively to his reputation, and it will likely serve as an exhibition where Paul preserves his reputation as a boxer.

How Will This Affect Paul's Future?

In the entertainment industry, he will continue to draw in a lot of viewers if someone with a prominent enough name appears. In 2020, after Paul won against Nate Robinson, he made it known that his ultimate boxing match would be with the UFC star Conor McGregor. During that time period, it appeared highly implausible that this would ever come to fruition. Nowadays, in just under four years, it is a very real possibility. McGregor only has two matches left until the conclusion of his UFC contract. He stated on Instagram earlier in the week that he intends to participate in both matches this year- once in June and again in September. If he does, he could potentially become a free agent before the year 2024 is up.

The fact that Paul is fighting Tyson doesn't mean he won't still fight against lesser-known opponents in hopes of one day earning a title shot. However, it's obvious that if he has the opportunity to make a lot of money from big events, he won't pass them up just to focus on slowly climbing the ranks. Although many people will criticize the Tyson fight, it's impressive how quickly Paul and Most Valuable Promotions have been able to organize and promote major boxing events and attract talented fighters. Paul is successfully using combat sports to his advantage instead of being controlled by them.

Where Does Netflix Fit In?

The main point of interest in this tale is not Paul or Tyson themselves. Rather, it's the fact that Netflix is broadcasting the live fight without requiring an additional payment from viewers around the globe. This marks the third time Netflix has broadcasted a sports event, and it's likely that they will continue to do so. In addition, Netflix has secured the rights to WWE's Raw television show in the US, and fans worldwide can access the company's full range of wrestling content on the streaming platform.

Netflix is making a loud statement by featuring Paul and Tyson at AT&T Stadium, and it shows their commitment to sports, particularly combat sports. This move could be beneficial for boxing since Showtime and HBO have stepped down as market leaders after many years. It's possible that Netflix may even enter the UFC arena once ESPN's rights deal expires.