After nearly 20 years, Mike Tyson is returning to the ring. The heavyweight champion put the gloves back on to fight internet sensation Jake Paul. Netflix will stream the fight at 8 pm EST to more than 280 million viewers.
At their weigh-in, Tyson slapped Paul with an open palm, garnering immediate attention across the internet. Some speculated whether the match would be legitimate, especially as Paul has a limited professional fighting history.
The match will last eight rounds, each two minutes. Both fighters are equipped with 14-ounce gloves. Tyson is 50-6 with 44 career knockouts, while Paul is 10-one with seven. Betting odds favor Tyson.
Despite bringing more name recognition, Tyson is making considerably less. USA Today reports he will bring home $20 million, whereas Paul is expected to make twice that.
Tyson became a household name following his professional boxing career in the 1980s and 90s. He earned his first title after beating Trevor Berbick in 1986. By the time Paul was born in 1997, Tyson’s career had already stalled following a 1992 rape conviction and consequential six-year prison sentence. He was released on parole after three years and is now a registered sex offender.
He is currently embroiled in a second rape case after a woman came forward in 2023 accusing him of assault in the early 90s. The case is ongoing, and he denies all allegations.
Paul is not without his controversies. In 2018, he was accused of scamming his young fanbase with an influencer training website, “Edfluence.” He was repeatedly charged with violating public nuisance laws and shamed for throwing lavish parties during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he claimed was a hoax. In April of 2021, two models accused Paul of sexual assault.
As a YouTube star, Paul fought in matches against other content creators. He began his professional career in 2020 and announced a multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League in 2023.
Paul told CNN he is confident in his abilities and predicts he’ll knock Tyson out by the fifth or sixth round.
