Whether hardcore boxing fans like it or not (spoiler alert: they do not) Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul might be the biggest fight of the year for the rest of 2024.
Yes, you can forget Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois, absolutely forget Canelo vs Berlanga, forget Beterbiev vs Bivol and even forget Usyk vs Fury 2. None of them likely come close to the crossover interest this ‘crossover event’ will create.
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On Friday November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Tyson and Paul will engage in an officially sanctioned boxing fight, one which will appear on both their records.
Not surprisingly the hype around this one is pretty insane, with Netflix using it as a big step into the uncharted waters of live sports streaming as it airs the fight globally in five languages.
Tyson vs Paul, the story so far
Of course many boxing experts are howling, they believe this should not happen. A 58-year-old former heavyweight champion who has been retired for almost 20 years, fighting a 27-year-old YouTuber. You’ll see the phrase ‘freak show’ used liberally.
Tyson’s health has been one of the big pre-fight topics, even more so after an initial July 20 date was scuppered when ‘Iron Mike’ suffered an ulcer flare-up.
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Rumours swirl even now that at some stage the bout will be downgraded to an exhibition, or it will not happen at all. For now, Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions say neither is true.
Jake Paul on Tyson health
‘The Problem Child’ has now issued a health update on his opponent as we once again start the long countdown to fight night at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
He told TMZ Sports: “I don’t have concerns, he’s doing great, he’s super healthy behind the scenes and feeling great. That’s what we’re focused on, and there’s no backup currently.
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Paul added: “Mike is big and beefy and thick and strong and yeah, Francis [Ngannou] said he actually thinks that Mike is gonna knock me out, which is funny.
“But I do have to be careful in the early rounds because Mike has that crazy crazy punching power.”
‘Problem Child’ ready for war
Despite the fears about what may happen on November 15, Paul says he is absolutely focused on knocking out Tyson, because he says he absolutely has to be.
“100pc man, a pro fight means war, and I don’t take it lightly. You can get seriously hurt or injured in there. If you’re not in there to go to war, you should just get out.”
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Assuming Paul comes through this fight (he is a clear favourite to win) who will he fight next after Tyson? He says at this stage it’s difficult to give any sort of clarity.
Jake Paul on next fight
“I don’t even know any more, like none of these fights really excite me. We’ll see what ends up happening or what names pop up behind the scenes. It’s more so about the business side of it – who’s actually down and when can we make it happen.
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“A lot of these fighters always have something going on or aren’t active or want a tune-up fight, whatever it may be. I stay ready and I’m down to fight anybody at any time.”
When is Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul?
The bout is scheduled for Friday November 15, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Netflix will air the bout live in five languages as the streaming platform gets into live sports. It also has two NFL games planned for Christmas Day.
What are the rules?
Big question, and the first thing to say is this IS an officially sanctioned boxing fight. Not an exhibition, per the organisers.
The bout will take place over 8 x 2-minute rounds, with neither man wearing headguards. They will both wear 14oz gloves.
