Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match set for Netflix in July at Cowboys Stadium
The Jake Paul train continues to barrel down the tracks, and now one of the biggest names in boxing history has signed up for a ride.
Paul (9-1), a 27-year-old YouTube influencer-turned-pro boxer, will fight former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (50-6) – who is 30 years his senior. Paul’s MVP promotion announced the new matchup for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Tyson will be 58 at the time of the fight.
The fight is huge, to be certain, and it will take place in the mega-stadium most frequently mentioned for mega-events. What’s more, the spectacle will not be a pay-per-view – it will stream live on Netflix.
“Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that,” Paul posted on Twitter on Thursday. “The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event.
“I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th. My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep.”
Promotion promotion promotion if I’m being honest it don’t need that.. The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way. Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing… pic.twitter.com/DQLKMnyWfO
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 7, 2024
The WWE recently announced a future streaming deal with Netflix, but the platform, arguably the most popular streaming service in the world, has only done three previous live sports events, and never has done a live combat sports event.
Tyson most recently fought Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020 and left with a draw. But that fight was an exhibition match. It has not been announced if Paul-Tyson will be an exhibition or a pro fight. A pro fight would need the sanctioning of Texas’ combat sports commission. Tyson’s most recent pro fight was nearly 20 years ago in 2005.
Paul has wins over former UFC standouts Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley. Against traditional boxers lately, he has first-round knockouts of Andre August and, less than a week ago, Ryan Bourland. Paul announced not long after that he’d have an announcement for his next fight soon.
But few likely would have predicted it would be Tyson, who is a regular fixture at combat sports events and recently helped Francis Ngannou train for his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. Ngannou boxes Anthony Joshua on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
