On Friday, November 15th, the boxing world will witness an unprecedented encounter when Mike Tyson, one of the most iconic heavyweight boxers in history, faces Jake Paul, the controversial YouTuber and boxer, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event will be broadcasted on Netflix in what is one of the platform’s major moments for 2024.
The fight will mark Tyson's professional comeback, as he had not officially fought since his retirement in 2005. At 58 years old, Tyson will face the young Paul, 27, in a bout that, despite the criticism, has generated great anticipation.
Everything you need to know about the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul
Originally, this match was scheduled for July 20, but it was postponed due to an ulcer outbreak that Tyson suffered. Additionally, the fight, which was initially going to be an exhibition, was changed to a professional event after Tyson managed to renew his professional license.
The fight will take place in a unique format, adapted to the age and experience differences between the opponents. There will be eight rounds of two minutes each, instead of the usual three-minute rounds, and the boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, slightly heavier than the standard 10-ounce gloves, in order to minimize risks.
In addition to the main fight between Tyson and Paul, the card will include other exciting bouts. Among them, Neeraj Goyat will face Whindersson Nunes in the middleweight division, while Mario Barrios will take on Abel Ramos in the welterweight division. In the co-main event, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will compete for the lightweight title.
The sports world has its eye on Tyson vs Jake Paul
When it comes to betting, Jake Paul is the favorite, although Tyson's legend gives him a chance that should not be underestimated. Betting houses offer odds of 1.43 for Paul's victory, while a win for Tyson is valued at 2.80. A draw, which would be a surprising result, is priced at around 10.00.
Although this fight does not have the support of some traditional boxing fans, the combination of styles and generations has captured the attention of the public, who will be watching every punch closely.
Weigh-in ceremony almost ends in scandal
The weigh-in ceremony, held at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, almost ended in scandal after Mike Tyson punched Jake Paul.
After going through the protocol on the scale, Tyson, who at 68 years old continues to surprise with his energy, had an intense face-off with the famous influencer. Paul approached with a challenging attitude, provoking the former world champion. In response, "Iron Mike" slapped him, prompting both teams to quickly intervene to prevent the situation from escalating.
Despite the unexpected blow, Jake Paul did not lose his composure. On the contrary, he responded with a laugh and challenged the legendary boxer to give him another blow, showing his carefree attitude towards the 31-year age difference between the two competitors.
The event is scheduled to start at 8 pm Eastern Time in the USA.