YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will finally step into the ring against legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson after a lengthy four-month delay. The initial bout was scheduled for July but had to be postponed due to Tyson suffering a medical issue on a plane, which included a stomach ulcer that required time for recovery.
The match is now set to take place this Friday night at the state-of-the-art $1.2 billion venue, home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, located in Arlington, Texas. The state has approved the fight as a professional event, although some modifications have been made to ensure safety for both fighters.
For those curious about how to watch this much-anticipated encounter, the telecast will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, though the main event may not take place until close to midnight in the East.
In a shift away from traditional pay-per-view events, this fight will be available to those who have a Netflix subscription, reflecting a new approach to boxing broadcasts. Netflix boasted an impressive subscriber base of more than 280 million around the world as of the last report in the third quarter of 2024.
Betting odds show Jake Paul as a favorite with a minus-210 line at BetMGM Sportsbook. This indicates that a bet placed on Paul would yield a payout that is just slightly less than half of the wagered amount. In terms of prop bets, Tyson winning by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification is the most favored outcome at +275, with other options including Tyson winning on points at +1000 and a first-round victory at +1400.
The age difference between these two fighters is quite significant—Tyson is 58, while Paul is just 27 years old. Tyson’s last sanctioned fight took place in 2005, where he ended his career with a record of 50 wins and 6 losses, including 44 knockouts. Although he fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match five years ago, Paul’s professional record stands at 10 wins, 1 loss, with seven of those victories coming by way of knockout. His only defeat was at the hands of Tommy Fury, who is the less-accomplished half-brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
This contest will consist of eight rounds, each lasting two minutes, which is shorter than the normal three-minute duration typically seen in professional bouts. Additionally, the fighters will wear heavier, 14-ounce gloves designed to lessen the impact of their punches. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has confirmed that Tyson’s physical condition meets the necessary criteria for the event to take place.
