Fighting Mike Tyson Might Be the Smartest Decision Jake Paul Has Made for His Career So Far

It’s Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, and yes, it’s happening. One of the boxing greats fights the modern crossover phenomenon. The word is official, and July 20 is the date when two different spheres of boxing collide. While the fans have yet to make sense of the announcement, ‘The Problem Child’ is rejoicing in the limelight. He will have the biggest fight of his boxing career within 3 months. But has he made the right call? Is it what his booming boxing career needs?

Not only the announcement itself, but the particulars are also jaw-dropping. One of the biggest NFL stadiums in the United States, AT&T Stadium, will bear witness to what will be the biggest fight of the year. In addition, Netflix will ensure the fight reaches its 260 million subscribers. Every meticulous detail screams business, and that’s what the American YouTuber-turned-boxer wants for his career.

Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: fame and making inroads in the boxing community

Let’s keep aside whether the fight should have been made or not, whether either of the boxers is diluting the sport, or whether it’s something fans want. Paul has recently improved his record to 9-1 with the latest beatdown of Ryan Bourland and continues to march ahead toward his goal of becoming a world champion. His boxing stocks continue to rise. However, there are lingering doubts about the 27-year-old boxer’s prowess and whether he belongs to the sport.

The purists have yet to accept the Cleveland native into their fold, and the Tyson fight might be the window of opportunity to stamp his credentials as a boxer. Francis Ngannou did the same against Tyson Fury; now the former UFC champion’s name is taken along with him. Paul needs a similar performance against ‘Iron Mike’ to make himself a household name in the boxing community.

In addition, Paul brings to the table an enormous fan base. Those numbers will grow at a staggering rate now that he will exchange punches with a former boxing world champion. The modern generation hasn’t seen Tyson unleash punishment and drop opponents on their knees and therefore will tune in to see a modern combat sports star go toe-to-toe against him. This fight also bolsters Paul’s resume, which needs some big names.

Uplifting ‘The Problem Child’s boxing career

Is Paul on the right trajectory to achieve fame in boxing? It seems so. His recent fights with Andre August and Ryan Bourland speak volumes about his desire to prove himself on the biggest stage. Both fights have come with a first-round KO win, and a fight with Tyson will only add to his experience.

Paul has yet to face such a skilled and dangerous foe in Tyson. He will leave the arena with more wisdom and a better grip on the reality of the task he has in boxing. Paul will accelerate his learning curve and can utilize the same knowledge in his future fights against more active boxers.

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Moreover, he will get used to the toil of boxing and hard punches as Tyson maintains peak physical fitness levels. Their awaited showdown might be fought under the exhibition rules, so there might be fewer chances of sustaining an injury or getting KOed. Despite retiring in 2005, he still holds his ground against modern boxers. You might recall his exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr., where his action and stamina allowed fans to demand more of his exhibition bouts. You can expect Paul to beef up his game and his willingness to take on tougher names after going blow-to-blow with Tyson. But isn’t it a lopsided fight? Isn’t it wrong to pit an aging 57-year-old Tyson against a 30-year younger boxer who is active and churning out KO wins?

A gross mismatch or a fortune fall?

One can always debate whether Paul has done enough to bag a fight with Tyson. But Tyson himself has seen Paul grow as a boxer these years. Besides, both are expected to pocket a heavy paycheck, given that it might be an exhibition fight that streams on Netflix. It won’t be a PPV fight, so both boxers don’t have to worry about the number of PPVs and try to knock each other out. If anything, this is a clear indication of how well Paul knows how to run his business and market himself as a brand.

For Paul, the Mike Tyson fight is much more than money. While it is entertainment for the viewers, it also means opening the doors of the boxing fraternity for Paul. It’s up for debate whether Paul will receive any credibility if he hands a defeat to Tyson. But the mere idea that he is fighting one of the legends of the sport within 5 years of his pro debut is a huge win for him and his career.

What do you make of this upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson? Are you excited to witness the ruthlessness and vicious style of Tyson? Let us know in the comments below.

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