Fri Nov 15 21:14:59 UTC 2024: ## Aging Boxing Legend Mike Tyson to Face YouTuber Jake Paul in Controversial 2024 Bout

**Arlington, Texas** – In a highly anticipated and controversial matchup, boxing legend Mike Tyson will step back into the ring to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in 2024. The fight, streaming on Netflix to its 280 million subscribers at no extra cost, has sparked significant debate due to Tyson’s age (58) and the perceived mismatch against the 27-year-old Paul.

The rivalry has already seen its share of drama, including a weigh-in incident where Tyson slapped Paul after a foot-related altercation. Adding to the intrigue, Tyson attributed his comeback to a hallucinatory experience involving toad venom, claiming a divine message prompted his return to the sport after a 19-year hiatus from professional boxing (his last professional bout was in 2005).

Tyson, a former undisputed world heavyweight champion with a 50-6 professional record (44 KOs), boasts a legendary career. Paul, with a 10-1 record (7 KOs), has primarily faced opponents from the UFC and other non-boxing backgrounds, including fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib and former NBA player Nate Robinson. His sole defeat came against Tommy Fury last year. This fight marks Paul’s heavyweight debut.

Critics, including promoter Eddie Hearn, have voiced concerns about the fight’s safety, calling it “dangerous” given Tyson’s age. Many states refused to sanction the bout, with Texas being the only one to approve it. The fight will be officially recorded on the fighters’ records, but will feature eight two-minute rounds (instead of the usual three), and heavier-than-standard gloves for added protection.

Despite the controversy, the fight is generating immense buzz. Paul has framed himself as the “disrupter” and “heel,” expecting to draw a crowd against the beloved Tyson. Paul is reportedly earning $40 million, while Tyson will receive $20 million, a sum Tyson claims wasn’t the motivation for accepting the fight. While some, like Tyson Fury, view the event as “fantastic,” others, including boxing writer Donald McRae, deem it an “embarrassment.” The fight, originally scheduled for July 20th, was postponed due to Tyson requiring treatment for a stomach ulcer, resulting in a 26-pound weight loss. Netflix’s three-part documentary, “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson,” further fuels the anticipation.

Read More