Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul Get Ready: The Clash of Titans– What Lies Ahead.

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul Get Ready- Mike Tyson’s return to the boxing ring has caused quite a stir. The legendary former heavyweight champion will be facing off against Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, in a match scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Jake Paul, with a record of 9-1 and 6 knockouts, has expressed his desire to compete against real boxers and eventually contend for a world title. However, instead of facing current professional boxers, he will be going up against the long-retired Tyson, who boasts an impressive record of 56-6 with 44 knockouts. Tyson, known as one of the greatest boxers in history, last fought competitively almost 19 years ago, suffering a TKO loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005. Remarkably, Tyson will be 58 years old when the fight takes place.

Tyson did make a comeback of sorts in July 2020 when he participated in an eight-round exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. Although the fight exceeded expectations, it did not generate much demand for further matches involving Tyson. During his prime, Tyson was a feared fighter and earned the nickname “Baddest Man on the Planet.” He held the undisputed heavyweight championship and remains the youngest fighter to ever win a heavyweight title. After serving a prison sentence of less than three years for a rape conviction between 1992 and 1995, Tyson returned to the ring just five months later and, after two victories, reclaimed the WBC title by defeating Frank Bruno in 1996.

On the other hand, Jake Paul’s boxing career began by facing fellow YouTubers and former MMA fighters. However, his recent loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023, via a split decision, made him reconsider his approach. Paul then defeated Andre August and Ryan Bourland by first-round knockouts, signaling his intention to pursue a genuine boxing career. These victories came in the cruiserweight division, with a weight limit of 200 pounds.

Given these circumstances, many are left wondering why this fight between Tyson and Paul is happening. Mike Coppinger, Marc Raimondi, and Timothy Bradley Jr. have shared their thoughts on the matter, shedding some light on the motivations behind this intriguing matchup.

What is the reason behind this altercation? Isn’t Tyson almost 60 years old?

Tyson may be considered old in the world of boxing, but his star power remains as strong as ever. Despite his last professional fight occurring in 2005, Tyson continues to be a prominent figure globally, transcending the realm of sports.

Paul, on the other hand, is recognized as one of the most prominent social media influencers today. When you combine the two, it creates a monumental event that is bound to captivate audiences worldwide, regardless of the opinions of boxing traditionalists.

With Netflix boasting over 260 million subscribers worldwide, this fight has the potential to become the most-watched event of the century, given that it is not a pay-per-view event. Mayweather’s fight against Manny Pacquiao in 2015 set a record with 4.6 million buys, but this upcoming event could surpass that milestone.

Gone are the days when Muhammad Ali fought in front of millions on ABC. While the Rumble in the Jungle was rumored to be the most-viewed fight globally in 1974, Tyson, the most popular fighter since Ali, had all his major fights broadcasted on pay-per-view.

Despite his age, Tyson still maintains an impressive physique and displays his ferocity during training sessions. Whether he can defeat Paul, who possesses more boxing skills than he is often credited for, remains to be seen.

Is this going to be an official boxing match or just an exhibition?

In November 2020, when Tyson faced Jones Jr., it was evident that both legendary fighters were not throwing punches with the intention to harm each other. This exhibition match did not aim to deceive fans into believing it was a genuine fight, which is perfectly acceptable. However, it is uncertain whether the upcoming match will be sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) or if it will be another exhibition. It is worth noting that Tyson will be 58 years old on the night of the fight.

The Tyson-Jones bout set a precedent for similar events where it becomes unclear whether it is an exhibition or a sanctioned fight during the buildup. There have been instances where exhibitions turned out to be actual fights where both competitors tried to inflict damage on each other, such as the Vitor Belfort and Evander Holyfield exhibition in September 2021. On the other hand, there have been exhibitions like the Logan Paul-Floyd Mayweather match in the summer of 2021, where it was evident that neither participant intended to cause harm. The weight difference between Paul and Mayweather further emphasized that it was not a genuine boxing match.

In October, there was speculation that the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou bout would be an exhibition, but it turned out to be a legitimate fight that counted on both fighters’ records. Considering Tyson’s age, it would not be surprising if this upcoming match follows the same exhibition format as Jake Paul’s older brother’s fight against Mayweather. It could be an enjoyable event featuring two iconic figures testing their skills in the ring. However, only time will tell.

Is this fight necessary?

It is highly likely that all parties involved will generate substantial profits, and there is little uncertainty that this boxing match will attract a significant viewership. However, it is widely acknowledged that witnessing a nearly 60-year-old Mike Tyson being defeated by Jake Paul would not be favorable for anyone, including Paul and Netflix. Some individuals may believe that Tyson will overpower the younger YouTube personality. Nevertheless, Paul possesses a considerable size, strength, athleticism, and is three decades younger than Tyson, granting him an advantage in every physical aspect.

Considering that both individuals are consenting adults and if they desire to engage in a fight, as long as Tyson receives approval from the TDLR with a clean bill of health, there should be no hindrance. These types of spectacles are commonplace in combat sports nowadays, and this particular event is exceptionally divisive.

The ideal outcome would be for the fight to be categorized as an exhibition, allowing the two competitors to engage in a friendly yet physically demanding sparring match, similar to the Tyson vs. Jones Jr. bout. As Coppinger pointed out, although Tyson and Jones Jr. did not throw punches with malicious intent in their November 2020 fight, the audience still left satisfied with the event. Ultimately, this is primarily about entertainment rather than genuine sports competition, and if viewed from that perspective, it is acceptable.

Is the essence of boxing as a sport jeopardized by this altercation?

When I hear the name Jake Paul, the term “Paper Tiger” comes to mind. This phrase refers to someone who may seem strong but lacks the necessary skills and experience. It’s worth mentioning that Paul has shown improvement and achieved success after his loss to Tommy Fury.

However, the idea of a legendary figure like Mike Tyson, at 57 years old, stepping back into the ring against Paul raises concerns about the direction of the sport. Many boxing enthusiasts, myself included, have noticed a shift towards entertainment and financial gains over traditional values like skill, discipline, and professionalism.

While these changes may attract more viewers and revenue, it raises questions about the integrity of the sport. The recent featherweight bout at Turning Stone Casino showcased the true essence of boxing, with Raymond Ford’s impressive knockout victory over Otabek Kholmatov. This is the kind of boxing that should be celebrated, not novelty matchups like Paul vs. Tyson, which undermine the sport’s authenticity.

Paul expressed his unwavering dedication to challenging ‘authentic boxers’ as he pursued his dream of becoming a global champion. What unfolded subsequently?

After suffering his only professional loss to Tommy Fury last year, Paul shifted his focus back to his roots in MMA. He secured a convincing victory over Nate Diaz in August and then made the decision to test his skills against “real boxers.”

However, these “real boxers” were clearly not on the same level as Paul’s previous MMA opponents like Diaz, Ben Askren, and Anderson Silva. As a result, Jake’s crossover events began to lose momentum. From a storytelling perspective, it made sense for Paul to face some part-time boxers with impressive records, following the footsteps of renowned fighters such as Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis, as a stepping stone towards a title shot.

In December, Paul achieved a first-round knockout against journeyman August, and he followed it up with a first-round TKO of another similar opponent, Bourland, on Saturday. Unfortunately, these fights failed to generate much attention.

Therefore, it seems that Paul has made a wise decision by returning to what he excels at: participating in a spectacle bout against a fellow prominent figure. Whether he will eventually pursue his goal of becoming a cruiserweight champion remains uncertain. However, his upcoming lucrative event with Tyson is unlikely to alter that trajectory. Instead, it will only serve to enhance Paul’s reputation and, once again, be an exhibition where he doesn’t compromise his boxing credibility.

How will this impact Paul’s future opportunities?

He will remain a major draw at the box office for anyone who brings a big enough name. In 2020, after Paul defeated Nate Robinson, he mentioned that his dream fight was against UFC star Conor McGregor. At that time, it seemed completely absurd that such a match could ever take place. However, less than four years later, it is a real possibility. McGregor has two fights remaining on his UFC contract. He recently stated on Instagram that he intends to fight twice this year, once in June and again in September. This could potentially make him a free agent before the end of 2024.

Paul’s upcoming fight with Tyson does not necessarily mean he will stop facing gatekeepers with the goal of eventually contending for a title. However, it is evident that if lucrative opportunities arise, he will not hesitate to participate in them rather than solely focusing on climbing the championship ladder by facing lesser-known opponents. Despite the expected criticism surrounding the Tyson fight, it is impressive to see what Paul and Most Valuable Promotions have achieved in a short period, organizing significant boxing events and expanding their roster. Paul has successfully utilized combat sports to his advantage, rather than the other way around. — Raimondi.

What is Netflix’s role in all of this?

The primary focus of this narrative does not revolve around Paul or Tyson. Rather, it highlights the fact that Netflix is globally live-streaming this fight without any additional charges. This event between Paul and Tyson will mark Netflix’s third venture into hosting and streaming sporting events. It is evident that there will be more to come, not just limited to Netflix’s significant rights agreement with WWE for the Raw television show in the United States, but also encompassing the wrestling promotion’s extensive range of offerings available on the streaming platform worldwide.

The Paul vs. Tyson match at AT&T Stadium serves as a resounding message from Netflix, showcasing their strong commitment to not only sports but specifically combat sports. This development could prove highly beneficial for the boxing industry, especially considering the departure of market leaders Showtime and HBO in recent years after decades of dominance. It is even possible that Netflix may emerge as a contender for the UFC once their rights deal with ESPN concludes.