Jake Paul’s latest venture into prizefighting will pit him against one of boxing’s greatest-ever names, it has been confirmed.
Paul, who earned his ninth professional victory last weekend when he stopped the outmatched Ryan Bourland before the conclusion of the first round, will fight the 57-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in Arlington, Texas on July 20, according to numerous sources including ESPN.
The bout, which will serve as the headline to a July 20 fight card, will be streamed live online on Netflix.
“Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that,” Paul said in a statement posted to social media.
“The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. 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.
Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that.. The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing… pic.twitter.com/DQLKMnyWfO
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 7, 2024
“I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th. My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep.”
It has not yet been confirmed if the bout will be a professional contest or an exhibition, or if it will require oversight from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation which regulates combat sports in the state. Tyson will be 58-years-old by the time of the bout, 31 years older than the 27-year-old Paul.
“He [Paul] has 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,” Tyson said of the fight in a statement. “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 was most recently seen in the ring in late 2020 where he fought to an eight-round draw against fellow icon of the sport Roy Jones Jr. Paul also competed on that card in what was his second professional contest, knocking out former NBA player Nate Robinson in the second round.
