“Iron Mike” returns to the ring on the night of Friday to Saturday (French time) to face YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul, in a professional English boxing fight.
A slap. As sudden as it is powerful. This Thursday, Mike Tyson (58 years old) delivered a blow with the palm of his right hand to the left part of the head of Jake Paul (27 years old), during their last face-to-face before their English boxing fight scheduled for the night of Friday to Saturday (French time), at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (United States). Immediately, members of security – or both teams? – intervened to intervene and prevent the situation from worsening further. “I didn't even feel it, he's angry. It's an angry little pixie…Lovely slap my friend», Launched the YouTuber with 20.8 million subscribers who became a boxer several years ago. Before adding: “Now it's personal! It's personal. And he must die!» Ambiance.
A fight put on hold then postponed…due to an ulcer
This slap is just another episode of the “show” surrounding this event. For several months, the two men have continued to insult each other, provoke each other and threaten each other. The goal? Generate maximum interest – this is the stock in trade of all combat sports – for this confrontation, produced by Jake Paul's promotional company Most Valuable Promotion (MVP) and broadcast live on Netflix. It is (without doubt) successful.
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It must be said that this fight has been long awaited. Negotiations would have started at the beginning of 2022. But since Mike Tyson suffered from chronic sciatica preventing him from walking – he had even been seen in a wheelchair – he was put on hold for a while. Finally, at the beginning of 2024, “Iron Mike” was (much) better, the opposition was scheduled for July 20. Except…that the former heavyweight world champion suffered an ulcer. And the event was finally postponed to November 15.
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Rules (largely) relaxed
Unlike the one that Mike Tyson fought on November 28, 2020 against former world champion Roy Jones Jr – an exhibition – this is, according to the organizers, a professional fight. That is to say that the confrontation, which received the approval of the Texan commission responsible for licensing for boxing fights, will count in the balance sheet of the two men. However, due to their large age difference, the rules were relaxed. We will be entitled not to twelve rounds of three minutes but to eight rounds of two minutes. And the gloves that both fighters will wear will be a little thicker.
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The fact remains that many observers, including professional boxers, wonder how such a fight, pitting (admittedly) a legend of the Noble Art (but) in failing health and an influencer-boxer in the strength of the age, can take place. Some are worried about “Iron Mike,” who retired in 2005 after 50 victories including 44 knockouts. (6 defeats, 2 no decisions), questioning his ability to take hits and hold on physically. Others are for the YouTuber who (still) won nine of his ten professional fights…but who has never faced an opponent of this ilk (despite his age).
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Several tens of millions of euros in winnings
As is often the case, to understand the interest in such an event, you just need to look at the winnings at stake. For this fight broadcast live on Netflix, Mike Tyson could receive around 20 million dollars (or 18.9 million euros ). A very nice sum for the man who declared himself bankrupt in 2003 – despite more than 300 million dollars (283.6 million euros) amassed in his career – and whose current fortune is estimated at several million euros. Jake Paul could earn twice as much due to his dual role as fighter-promoter ($40 million, or 37.8 million euros).
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Furthermore, the influencer made a bet to his opponent: if the latter lasts more than four rounds, he would be ready to pay him an additional 5 million dollars (4.7 million euros); otherwise, he would like to get a “I love Jake Paul” tattoo. The former world champion has not (yet?) reacted. Perhaps he wants above all to respond in the ring.
