YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is taking on one of boxing’s greatest-ever fighters tonight in former undisputed world champion Mike Tyson.
The heavyweight bout is being labelled by some as Paul’s toughest test yet, despite the 30-year age gap between him and Tyson.
The fight was originally scheduled for 20 July, but was delayed after Tyson fell ill on a flight due to an ulcer flare up in May.
It’s going to be a co-main event alongside a highly-anticipated rematch between undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano.
Here’s everything you need to know about the hotly anticipated fight and how to watch.
Who are the fighters?
Jake Paul, 27, is an American YouTube star who made a name for himself on social media platform Vine. He made his professional boxing debut in 2020.
His most high-profile fight so far was his clash with Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy Fury last year, which he lost by split decision.
“The Problem Child” has since defeated former UFC contender Nate Diaz, professional boxer Andre August, former Gold Gloves champion Ryan Bourland and most recently MMA fighter Mike Perry to earn himself a boxing record of 10-1.
“Iron Mike” Tyson, 58, retired from professional boxing in 2005 with a 50-6 record and as a former undisputed heavyweight champion.
The legendary fighter, who knocked out 44 opponents during his career, returned to the ring after 15 years in 2020 for a bout against fellow boxing icon Roy Jones, which ended in an unofficial draw.
Tyson’s fighting skills place him among the best heavyweight boxers of all time, but the age gap between him and Paul along with some potential ring rust are expected to level the playing field.
When is the fight and where will it be?
The bout is due to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday 15 November. The 80,000-seat capacity stadium is home of the Dallas Cowboys and is the biggest NFL stadium in the US.
The event is set to begin at 1am GMT on 16 November, with Taylor v Serrano scheduled for 3am GMT and Tyson v Paul at 4am GMT.
How can I watch it?
It will be aired on Netflix in what will be the first live fight ever on the streaming platform.
Jake Paul, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2021, said his company signed with Netflix because it is “the biggest streaming platform in the world”.
Fellow MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian added: “Partnering with Netflix for this deal presents an unparalleled opportunity to bring Jake Paul v Mike Tyson to the world on an unprecedented scale.”
Do I need to pay for the fight?
Some good news for Netflix users; there is no additional cost for the streaming platform’s subscribers.
It’s not a pay-per-view event, but you won’t be able to watch it unless you have a Netflix account, which costs between £4.99 and £17.99 depending on what sort of plan you subscribe to.
Can I buy tickets?
Tickets are still available throughout the stadium via SeatGeek, with prices for regular seats ranging from $60 (£47.32) to about $7,400 (£5,914).
What are the rules?
The Texas Athletic Commission has sanctioned it as a professional fight which will count on the pair’s boxing records, but it has put some sanctions in place due to Tyson’s age.
There will be eight rounds lasting a maximum of two minutes rather than three, and both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the usual 10-ounce.
What you need to know about Taylor v Serrano
Taylor and Serrano produced an epic when they became the first ever women fighters to headline at Madison Square Garden back in 2022, with the former edging a split decision that could have arguably fallen either way after 10 rounds.
Now over two years on from one of the greatest fights in the history of female boxing, undisputed super-lightweight world champion Taylor, 38, will put her belts on the line against unified featherweight champion Serrano, 36.
The contest will mark a step in three weight classes from Serrano’s usual featherweight division as she seeks the biggest win of her glittering career.
Taylor will enter 23-1 having avenged her loss to Chantelle Cameron in May last year by winning November’s rematch via majority decision to become undisputed super-lightweight champion and a two-weight undisputed champion.
Serrano is meanwhile 46-2-1 having won all four of her fights since losing to Taylor, most recently beating Danila Ramos via unanimous decision after their 12-rounder in October.
Who is on the undercard?
There are five other fights on the bill besides the two co-main events – and two of them will see titles on the line. Here’s how it looks:
- Mario Barrios v Abel Ramos – WBC welterweight title
- Shadasia Green v Melinda Watpool – WBO super-middleweight title
- Lucas Bahdi v Corey Marksman – lightweight
- Bruce Carrington v Dana Coolwell – featherweight
- Neeraj Goyat v Whindersson Nunes – middleweight
‘The fight of a lifetime’
Paul is not typically known for showing respect to his opponents. In the lead-up to his last fight against Tommy Fury, which he lost on points, Paul said Tyson Fury’s brother “boxes because he was told to do so by his dad”.
“He doesn’t have that real heart, that real fighter inside of him,” he added.
Few, however, would question Mike Tyson’s credentials, with Paul having adopted a more respectful approach to promoting the fight so far.
“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever – the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time,” he said, adding: “This will be the fight of a lifetime.”
In a face-to-face posted on his YouTube channel on 10 November, Paul said winning would be “bittersweet” due to the respect he has for Tyson, but said it was “my time to shine”.
‘I plan to finish him’
Critics of the fight have said there is simply too big of an age gap between the two, with Tyson falling ill in May stoking talks over the fight being a mistake for the 58-year-old.
But the veteran has insisted he still has fuel left in the tank, claiming his body is “in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s”.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said – promising to “finish him” and his boxing career.
During the face-to-face, Tyson warned: “I’m not going to lose. I can’t even fathom losing.
“I think he thinks this is going to be a very easy night. It’s not going to be an easy night.”
Source : Sky News
