According to the credentials, former two-time world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson should be an overwhelming favorite when he steps in the ring to face YouTuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul, but many are considering this to be a 50/50 fight due to Tyson’s advanced age.
The unexpected Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight announcement was made by Most Valuable Promotions on March 7th. Streaming live on Netflix, the match is set to take place on Saturday night, July 20th at the AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Once the news circulated as it relates to the Tyson vs Paul clash, the next question was is this an exhibition bout or an official boxing match? Both fighters claim this fight is being treated like an official boxing match, and if that’s the case, the date on Mike Tyson’s birth certificate becomes a major point of concern.
Known as “The Problem Child,” Jake Paul was born on January 17, 1997. Five months later, in the third round of the heavyweight title rematch against Evander Holyfield, the then 30-year-old Mike Tyson got disqualified when he bit part of Holyfield’s ear off.
Most members of the boxing community admire Mike Tyson, but they feel he’s placing himself in a dangerous situation because of the number 58. However, they can understand why Tyson is going through with the match because the number he’s focused on will be on a check, and that number will consist of multiple zeros.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul first cross paths back in November 2020 when Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr faced each other in a highly anticipated exhibition bout. On the event’s undercard, Jake Paul was set to face former NBA point guard Nate Robinson.
Tyson and Jones produced an entertaining exhibition match, while Jake Paul went viral for his highlight-reel knockout of Nate Robinson. Since this event took place, Jake Paul has dedicated himself to the sport of boxing, as he’s gotten significantly better, and Mike Tyson has gotten significantly older.
In his last couple of fights, the 27-year-old Jake Paul has shown major improvements in footwork, shooting the jab, and setting up his power shots. Mike Tyson has the experience, skills, and the power to defeat Jake Paul, but the question is does Tyson have the stamina?
During the tale end of his historic boxing career, the lack of stamina became a major problem for Mike Tyson. In an action-packed fight that took place back in July 2004, Tyson ran out of gas in the fourth round as he was knocked out by Danny Williams.
Eleven months later, Tyson faced journeyman boxer Kevin McBride. Tyson was fatigued to the point that in the sixth round when McBride pushed him down to the canvas, Tyson had a difficult time rising to his feet. At the end of round 6, Tyson quit on his stool.
Hardcore fans of Mike Tyson believe the fight against Jake Paul will be a walk in the park, but that may not be the case. Prime Mike Tyson was the baddest man on the planet, but undefeated prime Mike Tyson was back in 1989, and this fight is taking place in 2024.
A couple of former Mike Tyson opponents stepped in the ring at the age of 50 plus, and it didn’t end well for either man. Back in September 2015, at the age of 51, Donovan “Razor” Ruddock was knocked out in the third round by Dillon Carman.
Six years later in September 2021, the then 58-year-old Evander Holyfield agreed to face former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in a boxing exhibition bout. The fight didn’t last long as Belfort stopped the former heavyweight boxing champion in the first round.
Mike Tyson has released clips of his training for his upcoming fight. One clip was a video of an awkward looking sprint, and the others have been snippets of Tyson hitting the mitts. Tyson looks impressive hitting the mitts in snippets, but how does he look when he’s training for a substantial amount of time?
Tyson’s age and questionable stamina are two key factors that level the playing field, and makes this an intriguing matchup. If Jake Paul can’t fight off his back foot and weather the storm, then Tyson will knock him out. On the other hand, if Paul is able to survive the initial attack, fatigue will hit Tyson and Paul may be the one to score the knockout.