JAKE Paul says he will be driven to the ring in a special vehicle, while wearing a $1 million outfit, for his fight against Mike Tyson this weekend.
It sums up the absurd largesse and circus feel to this major event, in which we’ll find out if an ageing former champion of the world can wind back the clock to silence a mouthy YouTuber who has cleverly carved out a boxing career appealing to a new set of fans.
“He is a manufactured killer, I’m a natural-born killer,” Tyson said.
Those who witnessed prime Tyson from the late 1980s to early 2000s destroying opponents yearn for one more showing of that ferocious boxing display.
But at 58, Tyson is battling the clock, while 27-year-old Paul will be looking to ratify his name as a genuine boxing marketing machine with the biggest name on his record.
Tyson and Paul were meant to battle it out in July of this year, until a medical scare on a flight to the returning champion forced a postponement.
Now the stage is set for one of the most anticipated fights of the year, as Tyson gears up for his comeback fight against the influencer boxer in Paul, who is 30 years his junior, in Dallas this weekend.
The fight is expected to earn the fighters multi millions each. While their purses have not been disclosed, Paul has been quoted as saying he’ll earn $US40 million for the bout, while it’s reported that Tyson will collect $US20 million.
While Tyson’s net worth continues to decline, he has said the money earned from this bout will not be a life-changing payday.
Dallas’ AT&T Stadium is expecting up to 80,000 spectators to turn out to watch Tyson’s comeback fight.
THE FIGHT DETAILS
Friday November 15, main card to start at 8pm ET
Dallas’ AT&T Stadium
WHEN AND WHERE IN AUSTRALIA
Saturday November 16, 12pm AEDT main card starts, ring walks for Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are expected around 3pm AEDT.
Fans can stream the showdown on Netflix Australia.
RULES
The fight will be eight rounds of two minutes each, less than the standard three minutes per round in professional men’s boxing.
The fighters will wear 14 ounce gloves, which is far more padding than the usual 10 ounce gloves used for most professional heavyweight bouts.
Knockouts will be allowed.
PREDICTIONS
BRENDAN BRADFORD, Code Sports Reporter
They say power is the last thing to go, and even at 58, Iron Mike still has plenty of it. Tyson could catch Paul early, but don’t be surprised if the YouTuber is able to drag it out until the later rounds as well.
Prediction: Tyson in three!
JAMIE PANDARAM, Code Sports Reporter
Mike Tyson was done and dusted when he was stopped by Kevin McBride in 2005, after which he stated he “did not have the guts to do this sport anymore” and didn’t want to disrespect boxing. He was 39 then, now is 58, and has little chance of conjuring his fearsome form of old against a much younger man. Father time is undefeated.
Prediction: Paul in five.
ODDS
He may be a boxing legend but Mike Tyson – at 58 years old – is considered the underdog coming into the fight against 27-year-old Jake Paul.
TAB: Paul $1.47 Tyson $2.70
THE FIGHTERS:
WHO IS MIKE TYSON: Boxing Icon
AGE 58
HEIGHT 5’10/178cms
WEIGHT 109kgs
WIN/LOSS 50 wins (44 by KO)/ 6 losses.
NET WORTH He’s earned hundreds of millions across his career but his net worth is currently estimated at $10m in 2024
RELATIONSHIPS Married Lakiha Spicer in 2009
NOTE Tyson will need the medical tick of approval before the fight progresses.
WHO IS JAKE PAUL: YouTuber, social media influencer turned boxer
AGE 27
HEIGHT 6’1/185cms
WEIGHT 91kgs
WIN/LOSS 10 wins (7 by KO)/ 1 loss
NET WORTH Estimated to be at $80 million in 2024
RELATIONSHIPS His current girlfriend is Dutch athlete, Jutta Leerdam. He previously dated US TV personality and influencer Julia Rose.
HAVE THEY PREVIOUSLY MET?
No. They were due to fight in July before Tyson suffered stomach ulcers and required hospitalisation. He says he is now fully recovered.
THEIR LAST FIGHTS
Tyson’s last professional fight was a defeat to Kevin McBride in 2005, after which he announced his retirement. He returned in November 2020 for an eight-round exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr, a slow and dull contest that was judged a draw.
Paul is coming off a sixth-round knockout win over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in July. He has had 10 professional bouts since Tyson’s exhibition against Jones Jr.
FULL FIGHT CARD to be streamed live on Netflix
Heavyweight: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Super Lightweight: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO women’s super-lightweight titles
Welterweight: Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title
Super Middleweight: Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes
Preliminary bouts to be streamed live on YouTube
Super Middleweight: Shadasia Green vs Melinda Watpool for vacant women’s WBO super middleweight title
Super Lightweight: Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica
Featherweight: Bruce Carrington vs Dana Coolwell
