The unusual fight between the polarizing legend Mike Tyson and the boxer-influencer Jake Paul on Friday will allow the two belligerents to pocket astronomical sums, and also, to settle a “small” bet.
• Also read: Jake Paul won’t wait for Mike Tyson
According to a friend of Tyson, the former heavyweight king, now 58 years old, should receive US$20 million (almost $28 million Canadian) for his presence in the ring. This was first scheduled for July, before an ulcer forced the postponement to this week.
As for Paul, he boasted last August of pocketing US$40 million ($55.7 million Canadian) for this clash with “Iron Mike”, 31 years his senior.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul during a media event surrounding the fight last August in New York – Photo AFP
Moreover, never before had a professional fight opposed two boxers with such a big age difference.
But these colossal amounts will not be the only issue at stake in the anticipated confrontation, which will be presented at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the AT&T in Arlington, but also live on Netflix. A fight, it should be remembered, to which there is no championship attached.
«I love Jake Paul»
In a video published recently, Paul (10-1, 7 KOs), 27, offered Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) to add $5 million to his purse if the latter managed to stay on his feet for four of the eight scheduled two-minute rounds.
But the former actor and YouTuber turned boxer demands in return that the former undisputed heavyweight champion get a tattoo of “I love Jake Paul” if he does not win the challenge.
Jake Paul
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Photo Getty Images via AFP
“He should offer more,” Tyson replied. Maybe $20 million.”
Iron Mike ended his long, spectacular and controversial career almost 20 years ago, in 2005. Since then, the youngest world champion in history returned to the ring in 2020, to face Roy Jones son (66-10, 47 KOs), who had hung up his gloves two years earlier, at 49 years old.
It’s fixed, claims a former champion
To everyone’s surprise, the fight did not produce a winner, even though Tyson had barely fought for 15 years. The outcome of the clash sparked controversy, with some experts believing he had dominated Jones.
Mike Tyson
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Photo Getty Images via AFP
But this time, the confrontation between Paul and Tyson provokes suspicions about the legitimate aspect of the fight, even if it will be sanctioned and the result will be added to the record of the two boxers.
The Briton Carl Froch, former WBC welterweight champion (a title won against Jean Pascal), believes that the fight is fixed.
Daily MetroFroch stated that “everything was settled in advance for Paul” and that “Tyson will not have the opportunity [d’essayer de le blesser]”. Although, in his eyes, the veteran would have the strength and technique to do it in the first seconds of the clash, as a former professional fighter.
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