Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul: ‘Iron Mike’ Returns to the Ring

Mike Tyson returns this Friday, November 15th to fight influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a highly anticipated fight that will be live-streamed on Netflix. The fight will take place at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas and is expected to be the biggest combat sports event of the year.

The fight was originally due to take place during the summer, as the event was booked for July 20th, but had to be rescheduled over Mike Tyson’s health-related issues.

Tyson’s health has been a main talking point surrounding this fight. Mike Tyson is not just well over his peak, but there is a very noticeable age difference between the two fighters. Jake Paul is 27 and at the peak of his career, while Mike Tyson is currently 58 years old.

Although there have been no official public reports on how much each one of the contestants has to gain, they are both in for huge paydays, with Paul going as far as saying “I’m here to make 40 million dollars and knock out a legend.”

This could be an indicator of how much has been invested in the fight, but there are no public official statements on the fight’s worth as of yet. The undercard is due to start at 5:30 pm EST, with the main event expected to take place at 8:00 pm EST.

Unlike previous fights, the bout between the two will be an official contest

The fight that is about to take place between these two men will be an official bout, and this has significant implications for both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. For Paul, this fight will be the twelfth time he will have a professional bout but the first time he will face such a seasoned fighter.

Mike Tyson, on the other hand, currently has a record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts. The last time he got in the ring was in 2020, when he fought Roy Jones Jr. in a 2020 exhibition match.

Jake “El Gallo” Paul faces off against Mike Tyson, the Baddest Man on the Planet. What happens when a disruptor and a legend meet in the ring? Watch LIVE on Netflix, Friday Nov 15 8pm ET | 5pm PT.

this tweet for a reminder to tune in so you don’t miss the action #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/MQGrgaZ76k

— Netflix (@netflix) November 11, 2024

This bout has gained legitimacy from BoxRec, which is the worldwide boxing organizing body, meaning it will affect both men’s official records. However, despite this endorsement, there has been some criticism and repeated questioning of the legitimacy of this fight.

The most common complaint is that the bout will deviate from the unified ruleset established by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), as the fight between Tyson and Paul will have two-minute rounds instead of three-minute ones.

This criticism has been dismissed by ABC President Mike Mazzull, who has said that the unified ruleset only has to be used during title fights.

“He’s a manufactured killer,” says Mike Tyson about Paul

Mike Tyson is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time among the likes of Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather. Indeed, his ability on the ring is indisputable. “Iron Mike” was the youngest world heavyweight champion ever in 1986 at just 20 years old, beating by knockout then champion Trevor Berbick.

In recent weeks, however, he has said that his “Iron Mike” personality has returned, and he considers this to be extremely dangerous. Perhaps a better way of putting this is that “Iron Mike” is to Mike Tyson what “The Hulk” is to Professor Bruce Banner in Marvel Comics and movies.

Homicidal #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/roIcVxOVZn

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) October 31, 2024

In an interview prior to the fight, Tyson said, “I’m always careful when that guy comes out. Every time I drink or get ready to fight and Iron Mike returns, I break out in handcuffs. Unfortunately, I have to fight and be that guy. I wish I could stop that guy.”

Jake Paul, on the other hand, does not have a legendary reputation that surrounds him as is the case with Mike Tyson, but he has, nonetheless, become a major player in the world of boxing. “The Problem Child” as he is usually known, has repeatedly credited himself with “saving the sport of boxing,” especially after the worldwide success of his fight with fellow influencer Tommy Fury.

While Paul’s status as the savior of boxing is up for debate, there is no doubt that this fight will change the landscape of boxing forever, as it will be the first fight to be viewed on a streaming platform, namely Netflix, rather than through its usual Pay-Per-View format.