Netflix Confirms Jake Paul To Fight Mike Tyson

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Particulars

From the official MVP release,

“Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced their first-ever partnership in a heavyweight boxing mega-event headlined by The Problem Child, Jake “El Gallo” Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) vs. the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs). Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will stream live globally, exclusively on Netflix on Saturday, July 20, 2024 from the 80,000-seat capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson marks Jake Paul’s most-anticipated fight to date and his second fight of 2024 following back-to-back sensational knockouts against professional boxers and Golden Glove winners Ryan Bourland this past Saturday, March 2 and Andre August in December 2023. Paul has shown tremendous growth as a boxer on his path to becoming aworld champion, but now will take on one of the best and most dangerous boxers of all time in Mike Tyson.”

Paul just knocked out the unknown cruiserweight Bourland in the first round Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico for his ninth win and sixth KO.

Questions About ‘Iron Mike‘

Tyson, who was the seemingly invincible, undisputed heavyweight champ from 1987-90, has not been in a boxing ring for an official bout, since his exhibition pay-per-view with fellow hall of famer Roy Jones in November of 2020. Further, Tyson is now 58 years old and thus, it raises serious questions about whether the Texas Boxing Commission and other authorities will license the fight, as a legitimate one, or whether it might be deemed an exhibition, etc.?

Back to the Thursday morning statement, an excited Paul said,

“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard. Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons,” said Jake Paul. “Within just two and a half years of founding MVP, we’re about to produce the biggest fight in history, a fight in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world – a testament to all we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event.”

Tyson Speaks

For his part, Tyson is all too willing, apparently, to come over the over three-year layoff in the ring after the Jones exhibition and “cash in” on the interest and huge money that will obviously be involved with the Paul event. He said Thursday morning in the statement from MVP,

“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul at the AT&T STADIUM IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS,” said Mike Tyson. “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.”

Tyson has not fought in a legitimate boxing match since he was stopped by Kevin McBride in June 2005, nearly 19 years ago. And, the 31-year age difference is definitely going to be a discussion point about how “official” the bout in July will be.

As for Netflix, they have already created a sports culture to their service with reality TV series on the NFL, Formula One and the PGA Tour. This will be the goliath-like streaming service’s first foray into live boxing production.