What to know about Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Fight on Netflix

On November 14, 2024By Littum

Upper line

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul are set to fight in a live boxing match streaming on Netflix on Friday in what would be Tyson’s first sanctioned fight in nearly 20 years amid growing concerns about the 58- age and safety of year-olds.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul speak on stage to promote the boxing match at the Apollo Theater in New York … (+) Town. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)

Getty Images for Netflix

Key facts

The event differs from the regular pay-per-view format typical of boxing matches, as Netflix’s 282 million subscribers (as reported in its Q3 earnings call) will have access to the event.

The event was originally scheduled to stream in July, but was delayed due to Tyson’s stomach ulcer sustained during a flight.

The fight has the largest age difference between boxers in professional boxing history according to ESPNTyson is 58 and Paul is 27, a difference of 31 years.

How can I watch the Tyson-Paul Fight on Netflix?

Netflix’s coverage of the event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas will begin at 8 p.m. EST on Friday.

What are the Tyson-Paul Fight betting odds?

Paul is favorite to win on most betting sites with payouts on a $10 bet ranging from $14.40 to $15.33. Payouts for a Tyson bet range from $27 to $28.75 on a $10 bet. Stakes are not allowed in six states – New York, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Vermont, where some state officials said the event was unconventional and more like an exhibition.

Key background

Organized by Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Paul, the fight is officially sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, but will have some different rules than regular fights. Both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves instead of the 10-ounce gloves typical of heavyweight bouts, rounds will last two minutes each instead of three, and there will be eight rounds instead of the standard 10 or 12. It was after saying Tyson’s choice for the fight to be officially sanctioned instead of an exhibition, Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian told ESPN. Tyson, who retired nearly 20 years ago, has a history of medical problems, including chronic back problems that were at the center of his last victory in 2003. Paul switched from mainly creating content on YouTube to boxing in 2020 and has only one loss over 11 fights against Tommy Fury, the half-brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Chief critic

Some have questioned the fight’s safety due to concerns about Tyson’s age and history of medical problems. “If I was Jake Paul, I’d just feel a bit embarrassed to be honest with you,” Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing CEO and one of the event’s top promoters, told BBC Sport last month. “This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing.” Hearn, there Paul sued in a defamation case in September 2022, after Paul accused him of bribing boxing judges, said he will vacate his seat before the main event starts. “The age difference is big enough that the event is dangerous,” longtime boxing commentator Jim Lampley said Tuesday. Tyson defended the fight last month, saying “Other people my age haven’t trained as long as me, been as consistent as me, and I’m just a different kind of person.”

What to look for

The match is Netflix’s first foray into a major live sporting event. Investors and analysts alike are watching the turnout as the event is expected to “increase engagement and attract Ad Tier subs, viewers and dollars,” according to a note from JP Morgan analysts ahead of third-quarter earnings results. Netflix is also set to stream 2 NFL games on Christmas Day.