Jake Paul Vs. Mike Tyson: 10 Things You Should Know
by Brian Mazique · ForbesLove it or hate it, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will fight on Friday. If you’re reading this article, it’s because you are interested in one of the most polarizing boxing matches in history.
Here are the ten things you should know about the event.
When and Where
The fight will headline a card promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The event will occur on Friday, November 15, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In case you’re wondering, yes, that’s a football stadium. And yes, it’s the same stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play home games.
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How Can I Watch?
The Paul vs. Tyson card marks Netflix's first-ever live sports broadcast.
Subscribers to the platform can watch it for free, which breaks the pay-per-view model that almost every other network uses for combat sports.
The event will start at 8 pm ET.
Paul-Tyson and The Massive Age Gap
The biggest story in this matchup is the massive age gap. Paul, a YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, is 27 years old.
While he’s only had 11 professional fights (10-1), he has shown impressive punching power, scoring seven knockouts. Paul has fought chiefly mixed martial artists and other athletes trying their hand at boxing; he’s seemingly gotten better with every fight. Tyson’s reputation as one of the greatest heavyweights in history is well-known and earned.
However, he is 58, making the 31-year age gap a significant topic of conversation. That gap is the largest in any fight in boxing history.
Alternative Fight Rules
Rather than ten or 12 three-minute rounds, the Paul-Tyson fight will be contested throughout eight two-minute rounds. Despite the altered rules, the fight is sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The match consists of eight two-minute rounds using 14-ounce gloves. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation sanctions it as a professional bout.
The Undercard
The night's co-main event is a rematch between two of the greatest female fighters of all time. Katie Taylor takes on Amanda Serrano for the former’s undisputed super lightweight championship.
With both women close to 40, the ends of their careers could be coming sooner rather than later, so if you missed the first fight–a classic–you’ll want to get a glimpse of the rematch.
WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios will defend his title against Abel Ramos, and Shadasia Green will take on Melinda Watpool for the vacant WBO women’s super middleweight title.
Attendance, Ticket Sales and a Record-Breaking Live Gate
Paul-vs-Tyson is expected to set a record for the largest live gate for a boxing event outside of Las Vegas. When the fight was set for July, Sports Business Journal reported the average cost of a ticket was $248.
Since then, concerns for Tyson’s health and availability have caused ticket prices to drop. However, with such a large and unquestioned interest in the event, there is no doubt we’ll see some impressive numbers from the attendance and live gate–if things go on without a hitch.
Health Concerns
The fight was initially scheduled for July 10, but complications from an ulcer forced Tyson to pull out. Paul still fought on that date, scoring a TKO win over Mike Perry.
Paul and Tyson promised the fight between the two would still happen, and November 15 is the day. Tyson has looked good in training and preparation–from what we can tell on social media.
Barring another unfortunate event, he will make the walk on Friday night.
Betting Odds
There’s always betting.
Because of the massive age gap, Paul is currently the betting favorite. Recent odds suggest he is a minus-200 favorite, while Tyson is a plus-200 underdog.
Cultural Impact
People are fascinated or repulsed by this matchup. Few are indifferent, and that’s the definition of a polarizing event.
Two people who seemingly couldn’t be more different, from two different eras and at the foundation, famous for two different reasons, will compete in a boxing match. Many hope Tyson will teach the Problem Child a lesson, and most are nervous about the boxing icon’s well-being.
It will be a hate-watch event for some, but almost everyone with a fleeting interest will watch it on Netflix.
What Are The Implications If Jake Paul Wins, And What If Mike Tyson Comes Out On Top?
If this were a professional wrestling match, it would be easy to determine which fighter was the heel and which was the babyface.
If Paul wins, he will get a level of hate that is even higher than what he receives already. Many boxing purists hate his presence in the sport and poo-poo his success. If he defeats–and even more knocks Tyson out–Paul will have disgraced the sport and one of its legends in a vulnerable state in his life.
If Tyson wins, he will have shown the young, brash upstart who’s the boss. It would be a win for boxing purists and the last piece of validation Paul’s haters need to prove he’s unfit to represent the sport on any level.
Tyson probably won’t–at least he shouldn’t–plan on another fight after this, no matter the outcome, as both men will be paid handsomely for their efforts. According to Paul, he will make $40 million for the fight, and other reports suggest Tyson will take home $20 million.