Boxing legend Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul are set to face off in a sanctioned professional fight on July 20 in Arlington, Texas. The highly anticipated bout will be held at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and will be streamed live on Netflix.
The heavyweight match-up, approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR), will consist of eight two-minute rounds with 14-ounce gloves. This decision comes as a surprise to many, considering Tyson’s age; the 58-year-old has not participated in a professional fight since his November 2020 exhibition against Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw.
Tyson, known as “Iron Mike,” boasts a formidable record of 50 wins, 6 losses, and 44 knockouts. His opponent, the 27-year-old Jake Paul, holds a record of 9 wins, 1 loss, and 6 knockouts. The 31-year age gap between the fighters marks the largest in professional boxing history, according to ESPN.
“Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) alongside Paul. “Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the TDLR to sanction Paul versus Tyson, and we are grateful that we have reached this point.”
The undercard of the event promises excitement as well, featuring a rematch between lightweight champion Katie Taylor of Ireland and Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano. In their previous encounter in April 2022, Taylor edged out Serrano with a split decision victory. Taylor holds a record of 23 wins, 1 loss, and 6 knockouts, while Serrano boasts 46 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and 30 knockouts.
This event is expected to draw global attention, blending the worlds of seasoned boxing veterans and new-age social media influencers. Fans across Asia and worldwide will be keenly watching to see if Tyson can once again display the prowess that made him a household name, or if Paul will continue his ascent in the boxing world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
