Jake Paul Fighting Mike Tyson Live on Netflix, This Could Be Bad
Well, this was not exactly on my 2024 bingo card but here it is. Mike Tyson is fighting Jake Paul! The question is, are we even excited about it?
Mike Tyson made a public announcement Thursday morning that he and “The Problem Child”, “El Gallo”, Former YouTuber – turned boxer, Jake Paul, are dance partners on July 20th. The interesting thing is this will be a live event on Netflix.
This fight is going to be held under the Most Valuable Promotions banner, an organization founded by Paul in 2021.
'We signed the contract.' @netflix @MostVpromotions tions #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/1H97Epxnkp
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 7, 2024
The Arlington Texas event will be Netflix’s first dive into combat sports and the third live sporting event following the Netflix Cup and The Netflix Slam. But, as boxing fans, can we even get excited for something like this anymore?
Jake Paul’s Career “Highlights”
Some fans would argue that Jake made his career off the names of fighters “out of their prime”.
- April 2021: Jake Paul finishes former mixed martial arts champion and Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren. Ben had retired from MMA in 2019 and had a hip replacement months prior to agreeing to fight Jake. Askren was 36 years old when he stepped into the ring.
- August 2021, and December 2021: Jake had back-to-back victories against former UFC Welterweight Champion, Tyron Woodley. The first team they met, Tyron was 39 years old, and coming off a 4 fight losing skid in the UFC. Jake ended up squeaking out a split-decision win. In their second meeting, Jake knocked Tyron out 2 minutes into the 6th round.
- October 2022: Jake fought the former UFC Middleweight Champion, and arguably greatest middleweight of all time, Anderson Silva. Silva had prior experience boxing — defeating the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, and former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz. However, by the time he stepped into the ring against Jake, he was 47 years old. Jake won the fight by unanimous decision.
- August 2023: Jake fought and defeated former UFC Fighter, Nate Diaz. Nate is well-known for his durability and cardio and has great hands. But, he is used to mixing it up in a UFC octagon where he can implement grappling a little more effectively. At the time of the fight, Nate was 38-years-old.
Jake’s only loss comes from Tommy Fury, a fighter who is around the same age and size. And interesting
How Will Mike Tyson Do?
Those of us who have kept up with Mike know that he can still go! The question is can he go against somebody 30 years his junior?
Tyson last stepped into the ring against Roy Jones Jr in November of 2020. Tyson looked polished in the ring, but that was against another man in his 50s. The exhibition match was ruled a split draw.
However, he is not exactly known for taking it easy on his opponents. Of his 50 career victories, 44 of them were by knockout, 24 of them inside the first round.
With all that said, to his credit, Jake Paul has silenced many doubters and has proven he is legitimate. But, I am not happy because this is just another opportunity for a Paul brother to step into the ring with a legend and brag.
Jake’s brother, Logan, had stepped into the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2021. The fight was an 8-round exhibition that went the distance. Logan has taken every opportunity to say he went the distance with one of the greatest ever. Although the internet seemed to believe Floyd was holding back.
The press release from Netflix does not imply Paul vs Tyson will be an exhibition, which could mean ‘Iron’ Mike would be coming to knock Jake’s block off.
Tyson is quoted saying, “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT. It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him off on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”
Jake Paul also said the fight would be taking place at Heavyweight, to the dismay of his coaches.
He’s the greatest heavyweight of all time…the most vicious KO artist ever. But I’m younger, I’m faster and I’m going to be working my ass off to get stronger. A member of my team sent me this video that Mike’s coach put up two weeks ago and asked me if I’m sure that I want to… pic.twitter.com/8krsuyYRtz
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 7, 2024
So, the question is how are we all feeling about it? Do we think Jake Paul is preying on another big name past their prime for clout? Or do we think the Mike Tyson of old will come out in his trademark marauding style and punch Jake back into YouTube Vlogs?
My heart says Tyson, but Jake has been playing the spoiler for a long time now…
