Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul: Boxing Meets Controversy
Ah, the sweet science of boxing—where legends are made, and sometimes, just sometimes, washed-up internet celebrities throw punches with retired icons. This weekend, we have a juicy spectacle on hand: a no-holds-barred showdown between the notorious Jake Paul, the self-styled “influencer” and YouTube sensation, and the once-great boxing champion, Mike Tyson. Who knew that the next sporting event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington would be a wrestling match between relevance and irrelevance, wrapped in a pair of boxing gloves?
What Time?
Mark your calendars, folks! The event kicks off at our very civilized hour of 2 o’clock in the morning (that’s right!). This is a prime time for both dedicated boxing fans and those who just enjoy watching chaos unfold in the ring. For our French friends, you might want to grab a double espresso, because the main event is slated to start at 4:30 a.m. on the night of November 15 to 16. Good luck with that—don’t say I didn’t warn you!
On Which Channel?
Forget trying to find this clash on Canal +, RMC Sport, or DAZN! This time around, it’s Netflix that’s cashing in—yes, you heard it right. The platform famous for its binge-worthy series is now your go-to destination for watching two men punch each other’s lights out. A subscription with ads will set you back only €5.99 a month. Now, who needs blockbuster romances when you can follow this heavyweight circus?
What Fights?
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty—the fights! Jake Paul, our infamous provocateur and a man adept at stirring controversy, has managed to notch up eleven professional fights, with a glittering record of ten victories. Mind you, a few of these wins came against names you’d assume were retired, possibly on a beach somewhere, sipping piña coladas. But hey, he’s serious about this boxing gig. But with an age gap of over 30 years, one must wonder: can Jake Paul truly compete against the legendary Mike Tyson?
Iron Mike isn’t pulling any punches (pun intended). He claimed, “If I fight at 10% of who I was, Jake Paul can’t compete.” Fair warning indeed, but let’s not forget that many boxing aficionados have witnessed Tyson’s glory days now flickering like the last embers of a dying fire. This is a man who retired after three defeats in four fights, and who only made headlines again with his exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Remember—the last time he was in the ring, it was with another legend, but time has a way of softening even the fiercest of competitors.
Now, while there are many questions surrounding the sporting integrity of this “clash,” it remains an impressive lineup of fights. Particularly, don’t sleep on the Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano rematch, which promises to be nothing less than epic. Their first fight was hailed as one of the finest in women’s boxing history, and this sequel is sure to raise the stakes even higher. The complete card looks like this:
- Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
- Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
- Mario Barrios vs Abel Ramos
- Neeraj Goyat vs Whindersson Nunes
- Shadasia Green vs Melinda Watpool
- Lucas Bahdi vs Armando Casamonica
- Bruce Carrington vs Dana Coolwell
So whether you’re a seasoned boxing fan or just someone who enjoys the absolute trainwreck that is modern celebrity boxing, this weekend promises to be a whirlwind of entertainment. Just don’t expect to see any technical boxing mastery—prepare for drama, and a whole lot of “did that just happen?” moments!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to brew some coffee to survive this early morning escapade.
A controversial internet personality to say the least facing a 58-year-old retired boxer. The poster for the boxing event scheduled for this weekend could have gone completely unnoticed.
Except that this internet personality is named Jake Paul, and the retired boxer Mike Tyson. Here’s what you need to know about this unusual show to say the least.
WHAT TIME?
The event will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the usual home of the Dallas Cowboys American football team. French spectators will therefore have to stay alert to watch the fights live. They will start at 2 o’clockon the night of Friday November 15 to Saturday November 16. Paul-Tyson clash set to happen around 4:30 a.m..
ON WHICH CHANNEL?
No Canal +, RMC Sport or DAZN: the event marks a historic first since it will be broadcast, internationally as in France, live sur Netflix. Subscription to the platform starts, in a version including advertising, at €5.99 per month.
WHAT FIGHTS?
Viewed with a suspicious, if not frankly critical, eye by boxing fans, the “main event” of the event is no less attractive for the general public.
Jake Paulpresented as an influencer whose success was matched only by his ability to arouse controversy (between conspiratorial remarks during the pandemic and accusations of sexual assault, which he denies), still has eleven professional fights including ten victories.
Certainly, his adversaries were essentially second knives or old MMA glories on the decline (Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz…), but Jake Paul, 27, seems to be taking his boxing career started in 2020 seriously.
More than 30 years separate him from his adversary, Mike Tyson (58 ans). « If I fight at 10% of who I was, Jake Paul can’t compete “, nevertheless declared Iron Mike at the end of October. Looking back at the level he reached during his “prime”, we will be careful not to blame him. Except that these peaks date back to the 80s and 90s.
Mike Tyson hung up his gloves in 2005 after three defeats in four fights, only returning to the ring for an exhibition poster against another “former”, Roy Jones Jr., in 2020. A fight against Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, was announced for 2022 and canceled due to Mike Tyson’s back problems. Friday’s, initially scheduled for July, had also been postponed for health reasons, and observers are concerned about his ability to perform against an opponent 30 years his junior.
If the sporting interest of the “clash” therefore raises questions, it will in any case have the merit of highlighting many other boxers, the event card being of good quality. We particularly think of the revenge between Katie Taylor et Amanda Serrano for the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super-lightweight titles. Their first opposition, in April 2022, was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and important fights in the history of women’s boxing.
The complete map:
- Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
- Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
- Mario Barrios vs Abel Ramos
- Neeraj Goyat vs Whindersson Nunes
- Shadasia Green vs Melinda Watpool
- Lucas Bahdi vs Armando Casamonica
- Bruce Carrington vs Dana Coolwell.
What are Sarah Thompson’s thoughts on the age difference between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson?
**Interview with Boxing Commentator, Sarah Thompson**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Sarah. There’s a lot of buzz around the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. How do you feel about this match-up?
**Sarah Thompson:** Thank you for having me! The match-up is certainly unconventional, to say the least. It’s a clash of two worlds: one represents the current and often contentious landscape of influencer boxing, while the other stands as a reminder of boxing’s storied past. Jake Paul has made a name for himself in the ring, but it’s hard to overlook that he’s primarily known as an influencer.
**Editor:** Absolutely! With Jake Paul’s record at ten wins out of eleven professional fights, do you think he can pose a serious threat to Mike Tyson, even considering Tyson’s age?
**Sarah Thompson:** That’s a huge question. On one hand, Jake Paul has shown he can box – he’s trained hard and taken this seriously. But then you have Mike Tyson, who, despite being 58 years old, possesses an inherent understanding of boxing at the highest level that Paul still lacks. Tyson’s sheer experience and power could be a game-changer here. As Tyson himself said, “If I fight at 10% of who I was, Jake Paul can’t compete.” It’s hard to disagree with that sentiment.
**Editor:** You mentioned the age factor. The 30-year age gap between them is quite startling. Do you think this will create any disadvantages for Tyson?
**Sarah Thompson:** Age is definitely a factor in sports, and it can affect speed, endurance, and reaction time. However, Tyson is a unique case. His legacy as one of the hardest hitters in boxing history can’t be underestimated. Yes, he hasn’t fought competitively in a while, but he still carries that explosive power. It really comes down to whether he can leverage his skills against a younger opponent who’s made a career out of fighting less experienced opponents.
**Editor:** The event is garnering attention for more than just the main event. The rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano is expected to be another highlight. How important is this fight in the context of women’s boxing?
**Sarah Thompson:** The matchup between Taylor and Serrano is monumental. Their first fight was groundbreaking for women’s boxing, and the sequel is highly anticipated. It signifies the growth and recognition of women’s boxing as a legitimate spectacle. This level of competition between two of the sport’s best female athletes is what we need to change perceptions and push the narrative forward.
**Editor:** Lastly, it seems that this fight will be available on Netflix, marking a significant shift in how boxing events are broadcasted. What are your thoughts on this change?
**Sarah Thompson:** It’s fascinating! Netflix stepping into the ring is indicative of the evolution of sports broadcasting. It opens the door for new audiences who might not be avid boxing fans but are familiar with influencer culture. From a promotional standpoint, it’s brilliant, but it also raises questions about the authenticity of boxing as a sport. We’ll have to see how this affects both the sport and viewership in the long run.
**Editor:** Thanks for your insights, Sarah! It will be interesting to see how the fight unfolds this weekend.
**Sarah Thompson:** My pleasure! It’s sure to be a spectacle, and I’m looking forward to it.
