After dispatching a couple of no-name opponents in his last two outings, Jake Paul is ready to step inside the squared circle with the baddest man on the planet.
On Thursday morning, Netflix announced that on July 20, it will broadcast its first live combat sports event emanating from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In the main event of the evening, ‘The Problem Child’ will face one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of professional boxing, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.
It’s JAKE PAUL vs. MIKE TYSON — yes, really! — in a LIVE BOXING event at AT&T Stadium you won’t want to miss. Airing live on Netflix Saturday, July 20 #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/ULXVeCYeH6
— Netflix (@netflix) March 7, 2024
“Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that,” Paul wrote on X. “The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event.
“I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th. My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep.”
Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that.. The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing… pic.twitter.com/DQLKMnyWfO
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 7, 2024
The Legacy of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson
KO’ing his first 19 opponents, Mike Tyson rose to prominence in the 1980s and reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. Of his 50 career victories, 44 of them came by way of knockout, making him one of the most dangerous fighters to have ever stepped foot in the ring.
Sadly, Tyson hit a series of roadblocks during his prime beginning with his shocking loss to massive underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas in February 1990. ‘Iron’ responded with four straight wins, but his comeback tour was short-lived after he was arrested in July 1991 for the rape of an 18-year-old girl in an Indianapolis hotel room. He was found guilty of the crime and sentenced to six years in prison, though he ultimately served less than three.
Tyson immediately got back to work in the ring upon his release, winning both the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles, but his post-prison career is best known for his bizarre ear-biting incident against Evander Holyfield in June 1997.
He officially retired following a loss to journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005 but returned to the ring for an exhibition boxing match will fellow legend Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. The bout was ruled a draw after eight rounds.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said in a press release. “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.”
