Topline
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul are set to fight in a live boxing match streamed on Netflix Friday, in what would be Tyson’s first sanctioned match in nearly 20 years amid rising concerns about the 58-year-old’s age and safety.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul speak onstage promoting the boxing match at The Apollo Theater in New York … [+] City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)
Getty Images for Netflix
Key Facts
The event is different from the regular pay-per-view format that is typical of boxing matches, as Netflix’s 282 million subscribers (as reported in its Q3 earnings call) will have access to the event.
The event was initially slated to stream in July but was delayed due to Tyson’s stomach ulcer flareup during a flight.
The match has the biggest age gap between boxers in professional boxing history according to ESPN: Tyson is 58 and Paul is 27 years old, a 31-year difference.
How Can I Watch The Tyson-Paul Fight On Netflix?
Netflix’s broadcast of the event at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, starts at 8 p.m. EST on Friday.
What Are The Tyson-Paul Fight’s Betting Odds?
Paul is the favorite to win on most betting sites, with payouts on a $10 wager ranging from $14.40 to $15.33. Payouts for a Tyson bet range from $27 to $28.75 on a $10 wager. Bets are not allowed in six states—New York, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Vermont, with some state officials saying the event was untraditional and more like an exhibition.
Key Background
The fight, which is organized by Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Paul, is officially sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, but will have some different rules than regular matches. Both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves instead of 10-ounce gloves that’s typical of heavyweight matches, the rounds will be two minutes each instead of three and there will be eight rounds instead of the standard 10 or 12. It was reportedly Tyson’s choice for the fight to be officially sanctioned instead of an exhibition, Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian told ESPN. Tyson, who retired almost 20 years ago, has a history of medical issues, including chronic back issues that were at the center of his final win in 2003. Paul pivoted from mostly creating content on YouTube to boxing in 2020, and has had only one loss over 11 fights, against Tommy Fury, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s half-brother.
Chief Critic
Some have questioned the safety of the match amid concerns about Tyson’s age and history of medical issues. “If I was Jake Paul, I’d just feel a little bit embarrassed to be honest with you,” Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing CEO and one of the event’s top promoters, told BBC Sport last month. “This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing.” Hearn, who sued Paul in a defamation case in September 2022 after Paul accused him of bribing boxing judges, said that he will leave his seat before the main event starts. “The age difference is big enough that the event is dangerous,” longtime boxing commentator Jim Lampley said Tuesday. Tyson defended the fight last month, saying “other people my age haven’t been training as long as me, been as consistent as me, and I’m just a different species of human being.”
What To Watch For
The match is Netflix’s first foray into a major live sports event. Investors and analysts alike are watching for the turnout, as the event is expected to “boost engagement & attract Ad Tier subs, viewers, & dollars,” according to a note by J.P. Morgan analysts ahead of the third-quarter earnings results. Netflix is also set to stream 2 NFL games on Christmas Day.
Further Reading
Netflix Earnings: Stock Climbs As Streaming Giant Beats Expectations—But Subscriber Growth Slows (Forbes)
