Well, many things could go south and escalate quickly when Jake Paul and Mike Tyson walk into the squared circle on July 20. But we will stick to the three possibilities. Ever since the news broke of the two exchanging punches in the AT&T Arena, the boxing world has been aghast. But isn’t it a high-voltage fight? Aren’t boxing fans keen to live the nostalgic feeling of watching ‘Iron Mike’ throw a thunderous punch and terrifying violence? Sadly, it’s neither.

With money written all over the fight, it’s not hard to make sense of the fight between Paul and Tyson. While ‘The Problem Child’ will have his dream fight and the opportunity to fight his ideal, the allure of the boxing ring and maybe a hefty paycheck pulled Tyson. But the question lingers. Who demanded the fight in the first place? Is it what we need right now?

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: buzz? no buzz?

Did the boxing world need this fight? No. Did fans rally and take over the internet to hold the promoters and shareholders hostage to make this fight? No. The fans and the boxing community have yet to wrap their heads around the announcement, and the backlash has been severe.

There is no buzz or fascination surrounding the fight, especially after Anthony Joshua highlighted the rift in skills between top heavyweights and crossover fighters. The fans know the difference between the skill sets boxers have and those of other superstars. The brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou might mirror a similar fate for the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter, whom boxing fans have yet to accept as a boxer.

Moreover, the likes of Eddie Hearn and the purists don’t want the former heavyweight champion to face an influencer. It’s a clear mismatch. We have seen Tyson walk to a UFC event with a cane in recent times because of hip issues. Therefore, there is no sense of excitement. It might turn out to be a disastrous event in terms of finances and promotion. There is nothing about the fight that moves the needle, except the name of Mike Tyson. So why are we here?

The Netflix drama: gimmick over boxing

Netflix has long harbored the intention of venturing into sports. Paul vs. Tyson will be the American company’s first trial in combat sports, and there are still concerns about how it will pull off the event. In all possibilities, it will be streamed to the audience worldwide and might not be a PPV. Then there are chances of the event turning out to be a gimmick or a spectacle rather than a boxing event with 18-ounce gloves and headgear.

In addition, you can expect Paul and Tyson to throw punches under exhibition rules. So, there is nothing at stake except money. It might be a dodgy affair with no implications for the boxing world. Fans already look at exhibition fights with distaste, and it might get amplified soon. Not only does it set a not-so-good precedent for mismatches, but it also affects the legacy of Tyson.

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No one wants to see him fight a 30-year younger opponent. The fans are already questioning Tyson’s decision to accept the fight and consider it disrespectful to sports, which made him a household name and cemented his legacy in history. And what happens if he drops the fight? What’s worse? A 57-year-old Tyson gets hammered by a 27-year-old Paul.

The ugliest: ‘Iron Mike’ gets injured, badly

Almost two years ago, the visuals of Tyson in a wheelchair because of his flaring sciatica had the fans worried. He is not at the peak of his physical fitness, and, despite toiling hard in the gym, will merely be a shadow of his past. Going against a boxer who is active and has produced two first-round KOs in his recent outings is a high-risk job.

Tyson might get seriously injured, and even if it’s farfetched, it is still a possibility. Boxing fans don’t want the baddest man on the planet to bow out of the sport in such a manner. It remains to be seen whether he can match the opponent’s fierceness and speed. Fans are willing to shell out money to take a dive into nostalgia and witness the fearsome aura of Tyson, but not the cost of him dropping to the mat with lights out.

What do you make of this upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson? Do you believe it is a good matchup? Let us know in the comments below.

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