YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul faced a delay of four months for his highly anticipated match against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The delay was due to Tyson experiencing a medical episode on a plane and needing time to recover from a stomach ulcer. The rescheduled bout is scheduled to take place on Friday night at the $1.2 billion retractable roof home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The state has sanctioned the fight as a professional bout with certain modifications.
For those looking to watch the fight, the exact time of the main event on Friday night is uncertain but could be close to midnight Eastern time. The telecast is set to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern. Unlike traditional pay-per-view formats, this fight will require a Netflix subscription, with the streaming service boasting over 280 million subscribers worldwide as of the end of the third quarter in 2024.
In terms of betting odds, Jake Paul is the favorite with a -210 betting line according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The most popular prop bets include Tyson winning by KO/TKO or DQ at +275, Tyson winning on points at +1000, and Tyson winning in the first round at +1400.
The age gap between the fighters is significant, with a 31-year difference as Jake Paul is 27 years old. Mike Tyson's last sanctioned fight was in 2005, where he retired with a record of 50-6, including 44 knockouts, after a loss to Kevin McBride. Tyson did engage in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. five years ago. In contrast, Jake Paul holds a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts, primarily against lesser-known opponents, with his sole loss coming against Tommy Fury.
The Tyson-Paul fight is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds, a departure from the standard three-minute rounds and 10-12 rounds in most professional fights. Additionally, both fighters will be using heavier 14-ounce gloves instead of the usual 10-ounce gloves, aimed at reducing the impact of punches. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has confirmed that Tyson's physical condition meets the necessary criteria for the fight to proceed.
