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ARLINGTON, Texas — Jake Paul is optimistic about his boxing future and believes he can challenge for a championship title within the next two years.
Mike Tyson, the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion, has also left the door open for a potential return to the ring after recently participating in his first sanctioned professional match since 2005.
The highly anticipated event brought excitement but ultimately resembled a sparring session, with Paul earning a clear unanimous decision victory in an eight-round bout held at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
Despite his triumph, questions linger about when Paul might face tougher opponents in their prime rather than aging veterans or mixed martial artists. The 27-year-old boxer and social media star has been consistent in his responses and now offers a clear timeline for his aspirations.
“I believe it could happen within the next 24 months,” Paul stated confidently. “I fully trust in my skills, power, and ability. The cruiserweight division seems ready for me to make my move during that time.”
In contrast, Tyson, who hasn’t fought officially since a loss to Kevin McBride nearly two decades ago, felt encouraged by his previous exhibition against Roy Jones Jr., which took place without an audience during the pandemic in 2020.
However, the excitement of the sanctioned match did not meet expectations, as it featured a reduced number of rounds and shorter round durations. Tyson came out aggressively at the start but then primarily allowed Paul to dictate the pace of the fight, leading Paul to comment that Tyson appeared fatigued after the third round.
Tyson’s defeat added another loss to his record, now standing at 50-7 with 44 knockouts, but he did not rule out competing again. Instead, he playfully suggested a matchup with Paul’s older brother, Logan, who quipped back in jest.
The younger Paul is clearly set on continuing his boxing career. With about four and a half years of training under his belt, he remains focused on his goal of becoming a championship fighter.
“Paul is a very skilled fighter,” remarked Tyson, the heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, after Paul won decisively with scores of 80-72 and 79-73 from the judges.
Nevertheless, Paul still seeks to solidify his reputation, maintaining a record of 11 wins, one loss (the latter to Tommy Fury) and seven knockouts. The former Disney star has also demonstrated his ability to generate buzz around upcoming fights.
His recent event, touted as the first live sports broadcast on Netflix, reportedly attracted tens of millions of viewers, with Paul estimating up to 120 million, awaiting official figures from his promotional company.
Financially, Paul earned about $40 million for the fight, while Tyson made around $20 million. These figures were shared by Paul in earlier promotional discussions over the summer.
Attendance at the event reached around 72,000, an estimate that appeared credible based on visuals from the venue. “This could be a unique moment in boxing, but I believe more opportunities await,” Paul shared. “Several names out there could yield equally significant events.”
Prior to facing Tyson, Paul touted conversations about possibly fighting super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, a noteworthy name in the boxing scene.
Competing against someone with Alvarez’s credentials may still be a distance away, particularly as age may soon become a consideration for Alvarez, who is currently 34 years old.
Paul’s team is unwavering in their belief that they can produce thrilling events.
“Boxing has its ups and downs — big fights, smaller contests, and everything in between,” explained Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s promoter. “We believe it’s not solely about the fight outcome but rather the overall experience we create and the entertainment we provide for fans. Jake Paul is the most entertaining athlete around.”
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