Culture Mike Tyson, 57, will return to ring against YouTuber turned fighter Jake Paul - Live on Netflix July 20

Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson will return to the ring against YouTuber turned fighter Jake Paul as the thirst for crossover boxing matchups shows no sign of slowing.

The two are scheduled to face each other at the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, on 20 July. The fight will air live on Netflix, the streaming platform’s first broadcast of a combat sports event.

Paul is 30 years the junior of the 57-year-old Tyson, and the fight will be the subject of criticism from those who believe such fights degrade boxing’s standing. Few can deny they are lucrative though: Paul earned about $9m from a loss last year to the boxer and reality TV star Tommy Fury. July’s fight is likely to earn both men far more.

Paul rose to fame as a YouTube prankster but he has developed a lucrative career as a surprisingly competent, if limited, boxer. Before his loss to Fury, he had got off to a respectable start to his fighting career, compiling a 6-0 record, although some of his opponents were of debatable quality. Since then he has won his last three fights. Paul said he has further ambitions as he approaches his fight with Tyson.

“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time,” he said. “This will be the fight of a lifetime.”

Tyson, perhaps unsurprisingly, talked up his opponent’s credentials.

“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,” he said. “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.”

The Texas department of licensing and regulation sanctions fights in the state and it is unclear how they will treat a bout involving a boxer who will be 58 by the time the contest comes around. It could go ahead as an exhibition or as an official professional fight.

At his peak, Tyson was the most destructive heavyweight champion of all time, known for his brutal knockout power. His last fight – an exhibition – came in a draw against another former world champion, Roy Jones Jr, in 2020. Paul fought on the undercard of that bout, knocking out the former NBA star Nate Robinson. Tyson’s last professional fight was in 2005, a loss to the Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

Netflix has been moving into sports in the last few years, most notably with its successful F1 documentary series Drive to Survive. It has broadcast two live sporting events in recent months: the Netflix Slam, a match between Spanish tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal; and the Netflix Cup which featured golfers and F1 drivers competing against each other.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/07/mike-tyson-jake-paul-boxing-fight-netflix-date-cowboys (Archive)

 

[XYZpdq Jr.]

iirc wasn't part of the reason Tyson would flip the fuck out back in the day that he was legit bipolar schizo or something similarly "woah", then his management team knew he wasn't right (if not an exact diagnosis) and went out of their way to keep him not-right so he'd be a murder machine?
then these days he's actually getting real help for it, raising pigeons, on meds, etc?

 

[CharlesBarkley]

He's just an annoying eceleb, people in the thread are going "I HOPE HE GETS FUCKING RAPED TO DEATH".

…I don’t see any issue with that, lmao. Sounds like a boon for society.

I don’t think it was rigged. T

Dude. It was 100% rigged. One side didn’t even throw a single punch for five rounds.

 

[HodgePodgeRogerDodger]

iirc wasn't part of the reason Tyson would flip the fuck out back in the day that he was legit bipolar schizo or something similarly "woah", then his management team knew he wasn't right (if not an exact diagnosis) and went out of their way to keep him not-right so he'd be a murder machine?
then these days he's actually getting real help for it, raising pigeons, on meds, etc?

Mike had an abusive mother, was an alcoholic, did some drugs, his manager was abusive and stole a lot of his cash, his father figure died early in his career, and yeah he’s a bit bipolar.

He’s done a lot of soul searching after his daughter died and iirc still attends Alcoholics Anonymous and is actually anonymous about it. Man can still turn it on, but he’d an old man who’s been through enough shit to hold it back.

 

[XYZpdq Jr.]

iirc still attends Alcoholics Anonymous and is actually anonymous about it.

short of him showing up in a burka or a klan robe I'm not sure that's really possible, but I get what you're meaning

 

[Bolo_the_Second]

That’s about as good as Paul is going to get unless he steps up with an actual currently active top superstar boxer like Canelo or whoever. I believe he called out Canelo. I guess if Canelo decides to do it he will clown the much larger Jake Paul but idk where he goes from here.

That is never going to happen, to in a "real" fight anyway.

What may happen is what went down when the other Paul brother, Logan, "fought" Mayweather, which was a glorified light sparring session worth millions. Mayweather was long past giving a fuck and became one of the most cynical money chasers to ever step into the ring.

And look, I can't really blame anyone for getting a 20 million check to play boxe with the Pauls, and if a elite fighter wants that trust fund for their kids, I say go get it, the ones at fault here are we, the public, who keeps giving the Paul douchebags the attention they need for their grift.

Said that, even if real boxes in their prime step up to Jake Paul, don't expect much from it. What we will get is another Tommy Fury fight, and calling Tommy Fury a pro is a bit of a strech, with just 8 fights prior to Paul, Fury was a part-timer in the sport, as he took time off to do reality shows, and was considered at best a club fighter if not a straight up journeyman.

Regardless, Tommy Fury dog walked Jake Paul. Yeah he got caught with a cross (I think? I can't be bothered to check), but had little impact to the man, and throughout the fight you could see the gargantuan difference between those two man's skills. Fury won by points in a split decision and he looked disinterested to do more than the bare minimun to get the W, maybe hoping for a close call to be a door for a rematch against Paul.

Boxing is a hard sport, it asks for a complete life-time devotion from the athlete and to expect "boxing" from these Jake Paul fights is ludicrous.

I've seen people saying the Jake Paul is the Butterbean for the tiktok generation, and while I don't quite agree with the sentiment, main point is that these two are novelty acts, freakshow fights where people are attracted to the spectacle of "who" are in the ring rather than watching a display of skill.

And nothing wrong with that, but, you know, call a spade a spade.

 

[Party Hat Wurmple]

After round 5, it was over. Tyson’s age showed and he was tired. He rocked Paul a few times. Tyson looked good for an almost 60 year old man, Paul did the most boring thing possible. He stayed out of Mike’s range and really only scored points in the last 4 rounds due to Mike being out of breath.

I don't think so. The guy is literally dodging punches like he's Ultra Instinct Goku. That isn't an exaggeration either. I find it hard to believe a guy who's dodging like that in Round 8 is completely gassed like everyone is saying. He's not out there fighting for his life. He's out there not even swinging. Even when he has openings. Age is a big factor, but it's not THAT big of factor. There's zero excuse for the guy averaging 2 successful punches per round unless it's rigged. Face it, if Tyson were allowed to dive in and pummel Jake, he wouldn't be wearing million dollar jewel encrusted boxers. That should tell you everything you need to know about how much Tyson was allowed to do.

 

[Bolo_the_Second]

I don't think so. The guy is literally dodging punches like he's Ultra Instinct Goku. That isn't an exaggeration either. I find it hard to believe a guy who's dodging like that in Round 8 is completely gassed like everyone is saying. He's not out there fighting for his life. He's out there not even swinging. Even when he has openings. Age is a big factor, but it's not THAT big of factor. There's zero excuse for the guy averaging 2 successful punches per round unless it's rigged. Face it, if Tyson were allowed to dive in and pummel Jake, he wouldn't be wearing million dollar jewel encrusted boxers. That should tell you everything you need to know about how much Tyson was allowed to do.

Not really man, yes Tyson was Bobing and weaving, and that was indeed impressive at his age, but after the second round he was gassed, he was punching a lot less and moving the bare minimum, as he was waiting for a counter to hit big and get the k.o, and that is pretty hard with the 14-ounce gloves which are usually used in sparring, but he certaily didn't have the stamina to keep up with Paul.

I don't think there was any rigging here, it was what it was. Main thing is, Tyson had no legs, his knees were shot (he was walking with a cane a few months ago for fuck's sake), and you can bob and weave all you want, it doesn't matter if you can't cut the ring, that is why Paul was free to move around Tyson and even kept "measuring" him (which is illegal in the sport) to keep a proper distance because he saw Tyson wouldn't be able to move in.

And Paul for his part did try to K.O Tyson, he went for the big shots, but the old man showed he had a chin and took it. That and the fact the fight was pretty short, with 8 rounds 2 minutes each, which is about half of what a normal bout would be, and that was the natural conclusion

 

[mold]

Everyone who has spent any time around fighters knows that Tyson would have knocked Paul out even without all the science fiction recovery he does after his crazy training regime. Boxing is an intelligent highly skilled sport and maybe experience doesn't always win but it usually does. If this had been a fair fight, Tyson would have baited Paul into raging out and doing something stupid and Paul would have eaten his bam bam right body hook right upper cut and never recovered.

There is absolutely no way Paul walked into that ring without assurance that he was walking out without brain damage. I hate to have to accept what has happened to the sport. I've been in denial since Fury got off up the mat in the 12th round in 2018 but I can't lie to myself anymore.

What is worse is that the undercard let us all know that the fakeroonie bullshit isn't going to be limited to heavyweight fights. Obviously Serrano was robbed in order to create buzz around another rematch. But also the Goyat-Nunes fight was showy, impossible bullshit. How retarded that fight was is being overshadowed both by Goyat's *disgraceful* humping, which should have gotten him disqualified, and by how much other crazy stuff went on last night. But it was COMPLETELY RETARDED AND IMPOSSIBLE.

Boxing is ruined and I can't even blame trannies.

 

[GPRIMACADO]

Here's signature vs 1st round that should have been LAST round. Even slowed to show opening for Tyson signature hook.

It's clear it was dive with Paul WIDE ass open.

 

[Netizennameless]

Jake Paul let off the gas as soon as he hurt Mike for real in like round 4. This was not a staged event in my opinion, this is Jake Paul showing respect by backing off and letting Mike survive to a decision.

Jake Paul is not some world-beating boxer, but he is 28 years younger than Mike Tyson. The harsh reality is that human beings cannot fight at a high level when pushing 60. No matter who they used to be.

 

[mold]

Jake Paul let off the gas as soon as he hurt Mike for real in like round 4. This was not a staged event in my opinion, this is Jake Paul showing respect by backing off and letting Mike survive to a decision.

Jake Paul is not some world-beating boxer, but he is 28 years younger than Mike Tyson. The harsh reality is that human beings cannot fight at a high level when pushing 60. No matter who they used to be.

again tell me you've never been in a boxing gym without etc

seeing an old ass out of shape man hand a 25yo his ass is a normal occurence

and I want to be very specific here: the 25yo could almost certainly take the old man's wallet. and Tyson could not have won against a worldclass boxer, and that fight would never have happened.

but boxing is highly artifical. the limitations on striking create a chess game in which experience really, really matters.

 

[Netizennameless]

again tell me you've never been in a boxing gym without etc

seeing an old ass out of shape man hand a 25yo his ass is a normal occurence

Sure Jan, keep telling yourself that. Boxers routinely fight professionally in their late 50's and win world titles because experience is the only thing that matters, right?

Except that never happens, because tuning up some fag with no boxing experience in the gym is not the same thing as boxing professionally (AKA fighting at a high level).

 

[mold]

Sure Jan, keep telling yourself that. Boxers routinely fight professionally in their late 50's and win world titles because experience is the only thing that matters, right?

Except that never happens, because tuning up some fag with no boxing experience in the gym is not the same thing as boxing professionally (AKA fighting at a high level).

do you actually think people are just walking in off the streets and challenging the old guy working the bag?

no, it's exactly this - young boxer with a couple fights under his belt gets cocky and old man mops the floor with him.

boxers do fight exhibition fights in their 50s. they don't fight professionally in their 50s because until last night the entire point of professional fights was watching two equally matched fighters at the peak of their ability.

 

[Hamstirer]

Jake Paul let off the gas as soon as he hurt Mike for real in like round 4. This was not a staged event in my opinion, this is Jake Paul showing respect by backing off and letting Mike survive to a decision.

Jake Paul is not some world-beating boxer, but he is 28 years younger than Mike Tyson. The harsh reality is that human beings cannot fight at a high level when pushing 60. No matter who they used to be.

Lick Jakes balls harder faggot.

 

[CharlesBarkley]

Sure Jan, keep telling yourself that. Boxers routinely fight professionally in their late 50's and win world titles because experience is the only thing that matters, right?

Except that never happens, because tuning up some fag with no boxing experience in the gym is not the same thing as boxing professionally (AKA fighting at a high level).

I see 50 year olds at the gym still deadlift 540 - Shut up, nigga. lmao.

 

[GPRIMACADO]

Sure Jan, keep telling yourself that. Boxers routinely fight professionally in their late 50's and win world titles because experience is the only thing that matters, right?

Except that never happens, because tuning up some fag with no boxing experience in the gym is not the same thing as boxing professionally (AKA fighting at a high level).

Larry Holmes 254 lbs vs Eric Esch 334 lbs

You were saying?

 

[Netizennameless]

You were saying?

Let me quote my statement since you didn't read it:

Boxers routinely fight professionally in their late 50's

Holmes was 52 and that was his retirement fight. This is not late 50's. He also fought a 35 year old man so fat he got his nickname from having to cut down to 400 pounds.

and win world titles because experience is the only thing that matters, right?

The oldest boxing champion in history is George Foreman. He lost his title at 46, because old men can't fight effectively at a high level. The second oldest lost his title at 42, Vitali Klitschko.

I see 50 year olds at the gym still deadlift 540 - Shut up, nigga. lmao.

That's great. That has nothing to do with why boxers can't fight effectively at 58.

Speed and cardio is why 58 year old Mike Tyson can't compete with Jake Paul. The second Mike got a hint of fatigue, his speed dropped off. He could still throw punches quickly, but not also reset and block/avoid the counters. Because he lost speed. After round 4, he literally couldn't close in on Jake unless Jake wanted to engage. That was a difference of speed and cardio. Eventually, Mike was a sitting duck who Jake chose not to engage with. When you are too tired to effectively throw punches or move, and too slow to properly react, it does not matter how experienced you are in boxing.

None of this is ball-washing Jake Paul. His entire bit is fighting people too old to be a real threat while having just enough name recognition for fans to hope an old man can turn back the clock. They never do. The only time he fought someone not too old to fight he lost.

This fight was always a referendum on Tyson. Nobody thinks Jake Paul had a chance against a physically able Mike Tyson. It was always a question of if Mike still had it. He does not, but that's because he is 58. In either case, this is the last i'll say on the subject.

 

[Dr J]

The oldest boxing champion in history is George Foreman.

Foreman's just the oldest heavyweight champion, at 45. Bernard Hopkins won titles, at Light Heavyweight, at ages 46, 48 and 49

Speed and cardio is why 58 year old Mike Tyson can't compete with Jake Paul.

It's not speed and cardio. It's his legs. The legs are the first thing to go on a fighter. Tyson just doesn't have the power in his legs any more

 

[Netizennameless]

Foreman's just the oldest heavyweight champion, at 45. Bernard Hopkins won titles, at Light Heavyweight, at ages 46, 48 and 49

You're right about that. My mistake.

It's not speed and cardio. It's his legs. The legs are the first thing to go on a fighter. Tyson just doesn't have the power in his legs any more

Fair enough.

 

[Pampered Degenerate]

I'd be pissed if I had paid to watch that fight, but Jake Paul just made Tyson $20M while seemingly trying his best not to humiliate him, and he showed huge amounts of respect for Tyson in the post-fight interview. Pretty wholesome over all IMO.