After ending his retirement from boxing in 2020, fight fans were wondering when Mike Tyson’s next fight would happen. Well, the wait is over and the heavyweight legend is set to return in July in a shocking matchup with YouTuber turned fighter Jake Paul.
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Following his exhibition return against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020, “Iron” having a second fight after retirement started to seem unlikely. However, it was shockingly revealed in March that Tyson would return in July for a Netflix special inside the home of the Dallas Cowboys against Paul.
Due to the popularity of both men, Paul vs. Tyson will be one of the biggest fights of 2024 whether you like it or not. The fact that the booking has both streaming giant Netflix and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones involved says everything you need to know about the interest expectations for the fight.
Clash of Generations: It may be strange to believe but Tyson and Paul are the favorite fighters of two very different generations of boxing fans. That is what makes this booking so weirdly fascinating. “Iron” was a hero to fight fans through the 1980s and ’90s while “El Gallo” is an example of the shift in the sport and how boxing fandom has changed.
It is a historic moment the sport should embrace because it could bring many new fans to the industry.
A Worthwhile Risk: There is a notable risk for both men in this fight. Since each has power in their hands a knockout loss would be embarrassing. Even at 57, getting KO’d by the “YouTube fighter” would hurt Tyson’s legacy. On the flip side, a bad loss to a competitor that is nearly 60 hurts the momentum for Paul.
However, so much money and interest will be made from the fight that it is completely worth the risk for both fighters.
The bottom line: While the matchup is somewhat silly, it is still a lot of fun and should bring in a wide variety of fight fans to Netflix in July as the world watches to see how the odd pairing of fighters plays out.
Mike Tyson became an international star and an American sports icon by being the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history, winning his first 37 fights.
Let the bad times roll: It wasn’t all good times with Tyson.
The Hangover: After retiring, Tyson made significant changes to improve his reputation.
Money is often one of the greatest measuring sticks for a fighter’s success. As of 2021, Tyson’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 and $10 million.