YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul had to wait an additional four months for his highly anticipated bout against 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The delay stemmed from a medical issue Tyson encountered on a plane and his subsequent recovery from a stomach ulcer.
The rescheduled match is now slated for Friday night at the $1.2 billion retractable-roof stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, with the state sanctioning it as a professional fight but with some modifications.
Although pinpointing the exact time for the main event on Friday night is challenging, it could approach midnight EST, with the telecast kicking off at 8 p.m. EST. Unlike the more common and pricey pay-per-view format seen in major boxing events, viewing this fight will require a Netflix subscription. At the end of the third quarter in 2024, Netflix boasted more than 280 million subscribers worldwide.
Regarding the odds, Jake Paul is a minus-210 betting favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. This means a bet on Paul would yield a payout slightly less than half the amount wagered. Popular betting props include Tyson winning by KO/TKO or disqualification at +275, Tyson winning on points at +1000, and Tyson securing victory in the first round at +1400.
The age difference between the fighters is a staggering 31 years, with Paul being 27. Tyson last participated in a sanctioned fight in 2005, retiring with a record of 50-6, including 44 knockouts, following a loss to Kevin McBride. Four years ago, he faced Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match. In contrast, Paul holds a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts, primarily against less notable opponents. His solitary loss came at the hands of Tommy Fury, the less-renowned half-brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
The Tyson-Paul fight is set for eight two-minute rounds, deviating from the usual three-minute, 10 or 12-round structure typical of most professional bouts. Additionally, both fighters will don heavier gloves—14 ounces instead of the standard 10—with the intention of diminishing the power of their punches. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has confirmed that Tyson’s physical condition meets the criteria for the fight to proceed.
