The upcoming bout against Jake Paul and returning heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has officially been sanctioned as a professional fight; the final result of the match-up slated for 20 July 2024 will appear on both of their official records.
When it was announced that the Problem Child and Iron Mike were set to face off, boxing fans experienced an expected combination of excitement and eager anticipation.
For many, the prospect of seeing Jake Paul come up against a seasoned pro like Mike Tyson was too good to miss. A chief disruptor in the world of combat sports, Paul is one of the biggest names in boxing, whether purists like it or not, and has taken 9 wins from his opening 10 fights.
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Whilst boxing fans are eager to see the young Youtuber-turned-boxer match up against one of the best to ever do it, there exists a quiet concern for a veteran fighter well past his prime, stepping back into the ring for the first time in almost 20 years, at age 58… and the news that July’s fight will be a professional fight has only added fuel to the fire.
The heavyweight bout will take place on 20 July 2024 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas and streamed live on Netflix. The fight will be contested over eight 2-minute rounds with 14-ounce gloves, and the final result will be added to both their official records.
“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,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian told Netflix. “Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 will both be contested with two-minute rounds, and each mega-fight will have its winner.”
Apart from a four-round exhibition bout in 2020, Mike Tyson has not fought professionally since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005, retiring from boxing shortly after. The upcoming bout against Jake Paul, a fighter 30 years his junior, could prove to be a high-risk return for the former heavyweight champion, who puts his record and reputation on the line in a bizarre mismatch.