Home/Boxing

via Imago

via Imago

Jake Paul has announced that he will face ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson in a boxing match on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. ‘The Problem Child’, who has promised fans that he is determined to fight for a world title in the future, seems to have changed his mind. And now, he has gone back to his celebrity boxing roots, after the underwhelming response to his recent fights with other professional boxers has elicited.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Given Tyson’s advanced age and extensive health problems, this, of course, did not go down well with almost anybody. Tyson, once the most feared fighter on the planet and the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport, last fought in an exhibition against former multi-division boxing maestro Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. While Paul has had four fights since 2023 alone.

This is why Mike Tyson is expected not to have a chance against his three-decade younger and active opponent. Therefore, this is seen as shameless and disrespectful by many, including Paul’s family nemesis, Dillon Danis.

The former Bellator fighter took to Twitter and called out the former Disney star for fighting the 57-year-old Tyson. “You’re fighting someone who was born in 1966. Have some shame,” he wrote. And while the announcement has been met with almost universal disdain, there are serious questions if the fight will be sanctioned at all.

Jake Paul’s increasing irrelevance probably behind move

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In the tweet announcing his fight with Mike Tyson, Jake paul revealed that the bout will be available for streaming globally on Netflix, terming it the “Biggest Fight of the 21st Century”. There are serious questions around how the Texas State Athletic Commission, which will be responsible for sanctioning the bout will approach the bout and whether it will be a pro fight or an exhibition.

Read More: Sean O’Malley Confesses Bizarre Umar Nurmagomedov Interaction – “We’re Gonna Fight Someday”

Given the disparity in their athletic abilities and age, it is likely to be an exhibition, which would be a pure spectacle for both men to get a big payday. Despite having retired over a decade and a half ago, Tyson remains one of its biggest stars and is an iconic figure who transcends the sport.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Paul, on the other hand, was among the pioneers of the celebrity boxing scene and his career has seemingly reached a plateau as his attempts at fighting other boxers was called out for having hand-picked opponents. And a fight against Tyson would certainly help him get back in the spotlight.

Read More: What Does Dustin Poirier’s Good Fight Foundation Do? Conor McGregor Controversy, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Donation, and More