LAS VEGAS — Jake Paul’s recent victory over the legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, while perhaps lacking competitiveness, sparked unprecedented interest from the betting community.
According to BetMGM, the encounter between the social media sensation and the 58-year-old Tyson, who demonstrated his age during the match, marked the most bet-on boxing or mixed martial arts fight ever for the sportsbook. They reported seeing three times the number of bets and four times the betting volume compared to any previous combat sporting event recorded in their history.
Craig Mucklow, a vice president at Caesars Sportsbook, commented on the level of engagement, likening it to the excitement surrounding an NFL Monday night football game. “We anticipated immense interest in this matchup,” Mucklow stated, emphasizing the fight’s appeal across different demographics. “Fans old enough to remember the peak of Mike Tyson’s career had the opportunity to relive that nostalgia, while the younger crowd largely rallied behind Jake Paul.”
While the betting figures are notable, they do not directly align with previous landmark fights due to the recent legalization of sports betting outside Nevada, which only began post-2018. Currently, there are 38 states where it remains illegal. Nonetheless, the match held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, resulted in a considerable betting handle.
The majority of wagers placed at BetMGM were for proposition bets, particularly for Tyson to win by knockout, decision, or a first-round knockout. Though Paul was favored at -175, a surprising 67% of tickets and 53% of the betting money at BetMGM favored Tyson to win.
“Paul’s victory proved to be beneficial for the sportsbook,” remarked BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella, reflecting on how the outcome played out in favor of the betting establishment.
Overall, the bout showcased a remarkable intersection of entertainment and wagering, highlighting the growing trend of audience engagement in modern combat sports.
