The Jake Paul train continues to barrel down the tracks, and now one of the biggest names in boxing history has signed up for a ride.
Paul (9-1), a 27-year-old YouTube influencer-turned-pro boxer, will fight former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (50-6) – who is 30 years his senior. Netflix and Paul’s MVP promotion announced the new matchup for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Tyson will be 58 at the time of the fight.
The fight is huge, to be certain, and it will take place in the mega-stadium most frequently mentioned for mega-events. What’s more, the spectacle will not be a pay-per-view – it will stream live on Netflix.
It’s JAKE PAUL vs. MIKE TYSON — yes, really! — in a LIVE BOXING event at AT&T Stadium you won’t want to miss. Airing live on Netflix Saturday, July 20 #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/ULXVeCYeH6
— Netflix (@netflix) March 7, 2024
“Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that,” Paul posted on Twitter on Thursday. “The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event.
“I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th. My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep.”
Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that.. The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing… pic.twitter.com/DQLKMnyWfO
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 7, 2024
The WWE recently announced a future streaming deal with Netflix, but the platform, arguably the most popular streaming service in the world, has only done three previous live sports events, and never has done a live combat sports event.
Tyson most recently fought Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020 and left with a draw. But that fight was an exhibition match. It has not been announced if Paul-Tyson will be an exhibition or a pro fight. A pro fight would need the sanctioning of Texas’ combat sports commission. Tyson’s most recent pro fight was nearly 20 years ago in 2005.
Tyson is considered one of the greatest and most dangerous boxers in history. The former undisputed heavyweight champion came to prominence in the 1980s, but suffered a major downfall after he was upset by Buster Douglas in 1990. In 1991, he was arrested for rape and in 1992 was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison. He served less than three of those years. Upon his release, he returned to the ring and won the WBA title. He lost that belt to Evander Holyfield in 1996, and in their 1997 rematch, the infamous ear biting incident occurred. Tyson bit off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear. He was disqualified, fined a record amount and had his boxing license rescinded. (The Nevada commission eventually let him be licensed again.) These days, despite those incidents, Tyson remains one of the most popular sports figures in U.S. history.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said in a release. “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.
Paul has wins over former UFC standouts Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley. Against traditional boxers lately, he has first-round knockouts of Andre August and, less than a week ago, Ryan Bourland. Paul announced not long after that he’d have an announcement for his next fight soon.
But few likely would have predicted it would be Tyson, who is a regular fixture at combat sports events and recently helped Francis Ngannou train for his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. Ngannou boxes Anthony Joshua on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
