On paper, given the track record of the two boxers who are completely opposed, the fight seems a foregone conclusion. However, on closer inspection, the legend could bow to the YouTuber. Terror of the rings in the 1990s, Mike Tyson has not had a single fight for almost 20 years. He is now 58 years old and will have to tame the youth of Jake Paul, 27 years old. If his name perhaps doesn't mean much to you in the world of boxing, it's because he is above all an internet and YouTube star. On the night of November 15 to 16, starting at 2 a.m. French time, the two face each other at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, an 80,000-seat arena.
“It’s a hoax”
Originally, Mike Tyson was to fight Logan Paul, brother of Jake Paul with whom he launched his career on the Internet via the Vine platform, then YouTube. The 58-year-old boxer suffering from chronic sciatica, the fight had been postponed. Finally, it was against his brother, Jake Paul, that he was to fight on July 24 before the duel was postponed again since Mike Tyson was suffering from an ulcer. It is therefore, after many adventures, on the night of November 15 to 16 that the fight will take place.
Jake Paul, who has been boxing since 2018, first against influencers then against MMA champions, has only one defeat to his credit, against Tommy Fury, little brother of Tyson Fury. The organization of the event caused a lot of talk, especially because of the age difference between the boxers. To supervise the fight while taking into account the public's reluctance, the boxing regulatory authority in Texas made the decision to change the rules. The confrontation will take place in eight rounds of two minutes each instead of three. The gloves will also be thicker and the match limited to eight times.
According to Mahyar Monshipour, former super bantamweight world champion, the problem is much broader. “It’s a hoax. We became wrestling because of these alumni. In Olympic boxing, you can no longer box after turning 40 and a day. And there, in professional boxing, they give a license to a 58 year old guy? No, it’s not good at all… The sporting codes should be reviewed in professional boxing and above all, that they be applied,” he declared for the newspaper Ouest-France. Indeed, the fight which was originally supposed to be an exhibition will finally be recognized as professional.
80 million dollars to share
On numerous occasions Jake Paul has been talked about, both for his boxing career and for his political and personal escapades. A fan of conspiratorial remarks and support of Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign, he is, among other things, the subject of several accusations for sexual assault in 2021, which he denies. When it comes to boxing, Jake Paul is often accused of only choosing opponents at the end of their career to get people talking about him.
For this fight, he will especially pocket a huge jackpot. He and his competitor will share, according to the Madrid newspaper Marca, 80 million dollars. Just that. A godsend for Mike Tyson who declared himself bankrupt almost a year ago. In addition to this sum, Jake Paul, a betting enthusiast, offered his opponent an additional $5 million if he lasts at least 4 rounds. He said that if he lost, he would tattoo “I love Jake Paul.” Mike Tyson did not accept the bet. He also did not look down at his opponent at the press conference: “I said everything I had to say. There is nothing else to say. I just can't wait to fight. »
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