Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is set to make a return to the ring in an exhibition bout against Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The event will be broadcast on Netflix, as confirmed by organisers on Thursday.
Scheduled for July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, this matchup will see the 57-year-old Tyson take on Paul, who is 30 years his junior.
Tyson expressed his anticipation for the bout, acknowledging his interest in facing a younger opponent and commending Paul's performances in his emerging boxing career.
"He's grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a 'kid' can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT," Tyson said.
Paul fought on the undercard of Tyson's last outing, an eight-round exhibition against former middleweight king Roy Jones Jr. in Los Angeles in 2020.
"I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him," Tyson quipped.
The upcoming fight between Tyson and Paul is part of a growing trend that involves matchups between internet celebrities and retired or past-their-prime recognised boxers.
Logan Paul, Jake's brother, played a significant role in popularising this trend, even facing boxing icon Floyd Mayweather in 2021.
While Logan has been involved in these crossover events, Paul has emerged as a more prominent figure in the trend, boasting a 9-1 record with six knockouts. In his recent fights, he secured consecutive knockouts against professional boxers Ryan Bourland and Andre August.
Tyson, on the other hand, is a legendary figure in the history of heavyweight boxing. Reigning as the undisputed champion from 1987 to 1990, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history by winning his first belt at the age of 20 years, four months, and 22 days.
The matchup between Tyson and Paul reflects the ongoing fusion of entertainment and sports in the world of boxing.
(With AFP inputs)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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