Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson (57) has agreed to fight social media star and boxer Jake Paul (27) on July 20, 2024.

Almost nobody would’ve ever thought that this fight would ever happen because most people think it makes no sense for the former “baddest man on the planet” to fight someone who’s known as a social media star.

Current WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury told The Stomping Ground that this fight is great for boxing because it will bring in new fans. ”I think it’s fantastic for boxing. You’ve got a legend in Mike Tyson. You’ve got a YouTube boxer [Jake Paul]. So I think it’s a really good spectacle for boxing. Brings a lot of people to the game,” Fury stated.

Photo Credit: Couldridge/Action Images Via Reuters

Jake Paul started his professional boxing career on January 30, 2020, defeating YouTube Star AnEsonGib in round one. Since then, Jake Paul has defeated former UFC Welterweight World Champion Tyron Woodley, Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, and former #2 ranked UFC Lightweight Nate Diaz. Paul also put together a solid performance in a split-decision defeat against Tommy Fury, brother of the current WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury. Paul dropped Tommy in the eighth round, and many boxing fans argued that Paul should’ve won the fight.

Jake Paul knocks down Tommy Fury in round 8, shifting the momentum of the fight
Photo Credit: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AF

Most people need no introduction to Mike Tyson. He finished his career with 50 wins, six losses, and two no-contests. In 1986, Tyson won his first world championship when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in round two. In 1987, he became the Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion when he defeated Tony Tucker via unanimous decision.

Fans filling Hilton Center roar as Mike Tyson knocks out Trevor Berbick in round 2 on November 22, 1986
Photo Credit: @MMAHistoryToday/X

Tyson won his first 37 fights until losing to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990, one of the biggest upsets in sports history. His career went downhill from there, winning only 13 of his next 20 fights, losing five of those fights, and having two ruled no-contest. Tyson retired in 2005 after his knockout loss to Kevin McBride.

Buster Douglas shocks the sports world defeating Mike Tyson in round 10 on February 11, 1990
Photo Credit: Colorsport

While Tyson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, his best years were three decades ago and he has no business fighting Jake Paul; however, many people believe that Tyson will win this fight, disregarding his age. Tyson has been uploading videos of him training on Instagram, impressing many of his fans. These videos are part of the reason that people still believe in Tyson, even at 57 years old.

Former Super-Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan believes that Mike Tyson is still scary to fight at his age. ”This is unreal and I hope that Mike doesn’t end up hurting him [Paul] because at the end of the day, I like Jake, but Mike is not a person you want to mess with or do an exhibition with.”

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Jake Paul has no reason to lose this fight with his youth, skills, and recent experience. This should be an easy fight for Paul, which is probably why he took this fight; it’s a low-risk, high-reward type of fight because of the money it’s going to make.

Although the odds seem to be in Paul’s favor, he told TMZ in 2020 that he wouldn’t fight Mike Tyson. ”Look I’m confident, but I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t go in the ring with them [Tyson]. Nah, no chance.”

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson has a chance to become the highest-grossing fight of all time, a title that is held by Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquaio, set in 2015, grossing $600 million. Because Tyson and Paul are two of the most famous people on the planet and this is such a crazy fight, many non-boxing fans will watch.

Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned this as a professional bout. This will be an eight round fight with two minutes per round, unlike most professional fights, which have three minute rounds. Paul is a slight favorite with odds of -170 per Draftkings.

The fight will take place on July 20, 2024 in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be streamed on Netflix.

Photo Credit for Feature Image: AP Photo/Ashley, AP Photo/Chris Pizzello