Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will return to the ring to face Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an exhibition bout screened on Netflix, organisers announced on Friday (AEDT).
Tyson, 57, and Paul will face off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, on July 21, Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced.
Early reports claimed the fight would be free to Netflix subscribers.
“Given the names involved, that it’s not on PPV and is on Netflix, which is everywhere globally it may be the most watched boxing event ever,” tweeted boxing reporter Dan Rafael.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul square off. Picture: Netflix
Tyson said in a statement he was looking forward to fighting an opponent who is 30 years his junior, insisting that he had been impressed by Paul’s performances in his fledgling boxing career.
“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,” Tyson said.
Paul fought on the undercard of Tyson’s last outing, an eight-round exhibition against former middleweight king Roy Jones Jr. in Los Angeles in 2020.
Mike Tyson was in top shape when he last fought against Roy Jones Jr in 2020. (Photo by Joe Scarnici / GETTY)
“I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him,” Tyson quipped.
The fight is the latest in what has become a popular trend in recent years, pitting internet celebrities against each other or against recognised boxers, who have already retired or are well past their prime.
Jake Paul’s brother Logan Paul played a key role in pioneering the trend, even fighting against boxing icon Floyd Mayweather in 2021.
Jake Paul was far too good for Ryan Bourland during their cruiserweight fight on March 2. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Jake Paul however has become a bigger draw, building a 9-1 record with six knockouts.
He scored back-to-back knockouts against professional boxers in his last two fights with victories over Ryan Bourland and Andre August.
Tyson, meanwhile, was regarded as one of the most ferocious heavyweight boxers in history.
He reigned as undisputed champion between 1987 and 1990 and won his first belt at the age of 20 years, four months and 22 days to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.
Mike Tyson lets the world know that he’s still got incredible power at the age of 53.
“He’s the greatest heavyweight of all time…the most vicious KO artist ever,” Paul tweeted after the bout was announced.
“But I’m younger, I’m faster and I’m going to be working my ass off to get stronger. A member of my team sent me this video that Mike’s coach put up two weeks ago and asked me if I’m sure that I want to do this … yes, yes I do. Heavyweight.”
“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,” Paul added.
But it wasn’t long before other fighters started criticising the match-up.
“You’re fighting someone who was born in 1966,” tweeted Dillon Danis, who fought and lost to Logan Paul. “Have some shame.”
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” UFC great Michael Bisping tweeted to Paul. “And the biggest joke is you don’t even slightly realise why.”
