Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are getting ready to face off in the ring. The former heavyweight champ and the YouTuber-turned-boxer will meet in November 2024 at AT&T Stadium in a Netflix-streamed event.
Tyson, now 58, hasn't fought professionally in almost 20 years. Paul, at 27, has been active in the ring, with his last fight being a knockout win over Mike Perry in July 2023. The age gap between the two fighters has got people talking.
The fight was initially set for earlier, but Tyson's ulcer flared up, forcing a postponement. Now, it's back on track, with some unusual rules. They'll go for eight rounds, but each round will only last two minutes.
Tony Bellew, a former cruiserweight world champion, didn't hold back when he shared his thoughts on the fight. He told BoyleSports:
"Mike is probably getting between £20million to £50million for this fight, I'm not going to lie, I'd do it. Everyone has got a price. But if Jake Paul hurts Mike Tyson it would absolutely kill me. If he hurt Mike Tyson and I then run into Jake Paul, I'd chin him, quite happily. I would even spend a couple weeks in the big house for that."
Bellew also criticized the fight format:
"It's a sad, sad day. It's not a professional contest really because only women fight two-minute rounds, men do not fight two minutes. But Jake Paul is so f***ing pig-headed that he wants it to go on Mike Tyson's record. Hopefully, Mike chins him and puts him to sleep in six or seven seconds."
Despite the criticism, Tyson seems determined. He's told people close to him that he plans to knock Paul out.
The public has mixed feelings about the fight. Some worry about the big age difference and Tyson's health. Others point out that Tyson himself has said he doesn't have the same fire for boxing anymore.
No matter what people think, the fight looks set to happen. We'll have to wait until November to see how it all plays out in the ring.
