Featured Image Credit: Getty & MVP
Topics: Boxing, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Heavyweight Boxing
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Boxing, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Heavyweight Boxing
Mike Tyson is to face Jake Paul in a surprise boxing match this summer with a date and venue already set for the mouth-watering clash.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul extended his professional record to 9-1 with a first-round victory over Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico on March 2.
In a hugely surprising move, Paul has already announced his next opponent - incredibly choosing to face former undisputed heavyweight world champion Tyson. A trailer for the fight has already been released, check it out below.
The pair with face each other on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what will be the main event of a card that will air on Netflix, officials told ESPN.
It will be the streaming giant's first live combat sports broadcast and only its third live sporting event overall.
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"Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is a once-in-a-lifetime dream matchup and I anticipate it will be the most-watched boxing event in modern boxing history," co-founder of Paul's promotional company MVP, Nakisa Bidarian, said in a statement.
Paul confirmed the fight by posting a picture of the event on X, alongside the caption: "Promotion promotion promotion if I'm being honest it don't need that.. The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that's the MVP way.
"Whether you're tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you're team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you're a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you're not going to want to miss this event.
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"I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th.
"My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep."
Tyson also confirmed the fight with a much shorter statement, posting a picture of the same poster alongside the caption: "We signed the contract."
There is a huge age difference between Tyson, 57, and the 27-year-old Paul – the younger brother of fellow YouTuber-turn-boxer Logan.
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Tyson has not fought since drawing with another legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition boxing match in 2020.
His last professional bout came back in 2005 against Kevin McBride, when he was stopped in six rounds before hanging up the gloves.
It is unclear what weight class his upcoming fight with Paul will be contested at, and if the fight will be another exhibition or a fully professional bout.