The combat sports scene is buzzing after some surprising news. Jake Paul is set to face off against Mike Tyson, and yes, it’s indeed happening. Paul made the announcement, and Tyson, along with Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions, have confirmed the fight. Boxing legend Mike Tyson is will face Jake Paul in a boxing match on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) has expressed his desire to shift his focus to fighting professional boxers with the goal of eventually contending for a world title. However, instead of pursuing this path, he’s set to face the long-retired Tyson (56-6, 44 KOs), a former heavyweight champion regarded as one of the greatest in boxing history. Tyson’s last competitive match was nearly 19 years ago, resulting in a TKO loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005. Remarkably, Tyson will be 58 years old at the time of the fight.
At the beginning of his boxing journey, Paul, aged 27, fought against other YouTubers and former MMA fighters. However, he suffered a split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. In August of the same year, he battled another MMA fighter, Nate Diaz, and expressed his intention to shift gears towards building a genuine boxing career. Since then, he has secured first-round knockout victories against Andre August and Ryan Bourland, competing in the cruiserweight division with a weight limit of 200 pounds.
In July 2020, Tyson engaged in an eight-round exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. While the fight surpassed expectations, it didn’t leave audiences craving more. In his prime, Tyson was one of the most feared boxers, earning the title “Baddest Man on the Planet.” He was the undisputed heavyweight champion and remains the youngest fighter to ever claim this title in boxing history. Following a conviction for rape between 1992 and 1995, Tyson served less than three years in jail. Remarkably, he returned to the ring just five months after his release, winning two matches and reclaiming the WBC title by defeating Frank Bruno in 1996.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson betting odds
Paul is the favorite when it comes to the opening odds versus Tyson –
- Jake Paul : -500
- Mike Tyson : +325
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Early Preview & Prediction
Our hearts want to see Tyson emerging as a winner in the forthcoming challenge against Paul and sending him into retirement but that is not probably going to happen because of their age-difference.
Paul is a young boxer and has been under training and fighting regularly for years now. Boxing is a body-contact sport and physical strength and agility are the key factors that determine the result. Tyson will be 58 years old on the match day. He is 31 years older than Paul who turned 27 in January this year. So their age difference is wild.
We are still not aware about the ruleset of the match but they won’t affect the result all that much.
Both fighters have weighed in and given their predictions for the fight.
Paul tweeted, “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.”
Tyson also revealed his prediction for the match-up against Paul.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium,” he said. “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. 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.”