Jake Paul v Mike Tyson

The controversial fight scheduled between social media star Jake Paul and ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has been making headlines since it was announced last March. Originally intended to take place in July, the “Problem Child” will now face “Iron” Mike in the ring in Arlington, Texas, on November 15. The Hollywood glamour tie has sparked intense debate in the boxing community and beyond, with issues of safety, legitimacy, and integrity all arising around this monumental money-grab spectacle.

"Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson on Netflix, November 15." Shared via Netflix.

The Age Gap

58-year-old Mike Tyson, once one of the most feared fighters in the world in the late 1980s, was forced to pull out of the original July date through medical concerns from his team. He has not fought professionally since a loss in 2005 to Kevin McBride and will be going up against an opponent 31 years his junior. Legendary boxer or not, not even Mike Tyson can win the fight against time. Meanwhile, Jake Paul has been boxing professionally since 2020, boasting a 9-1 record, with six knockouts. Yes, many of these opponents constituted either newcomers to boxing or retired celebrities who fancied an easy paycheck. Regardless, these fights still prove one thing: Jake Paul can fight.

Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn even came out and publicly criticized the scheduled contest, denouncing it as “disgusting” that an almost-60-year-old must face a 27-year-old in the ring. Paul will be able to move and react quicker, and will likely have the stamina to last each round. This makes his limited boxing experience largely irrelevant. Tyson will be at serious risk if he cannot keep up with the younger fighter. Which also means if Tyson cannot land a knock-out punch quickly to win, he will likely not win at all. And the longer the fight goes on, the more danger Tyson will be in for his health and wellbeing.

Money Grab

But, perhaps, that is one of the aims of this colossal boxing bout. After all, the longer it goes on, the more viewers, sponsors, and sales will continue to increase. What’s the point in such a colossal spectacle if it only lasts for ten minutes? This idea ties into the views of many that the fight neglects the welfare of those involved in favor of the lucrative package which will arise out of it. After all, Tyson is returning to the ring after so many years, not for an exhibition fight against someone like Buster Douglas or Evander Holyfield, but for a YouTuber. Iron Mike has built a legacy of power and dominance in the ring. He is in danger of destroying this image all for a pay packet. The fight reflects a growing shift in momentum where viral social media stars are entering the sport for the publicity event. Boxing fans fear the precarious position this could place the sport in, turning it from a once-respected, highly-physical competition, to a social media-driven event geared around viewership and audience favorability. The Paul-Tyson fight is the perfect embodiment of this. Over 85,000 people have signed up for ticketing information, and it will be live-streamed on Netflix for all to see. The publicity surrounding the event far surpasses the build-up for recent heavyweight championship contests, even surpassing Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk in May.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, the boxing match for the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World title: Image courtesy of Getty Images

In this way, this highly anticipated boxing match may be the future for the sport. Internet-famed celebrities taking on each other to create viral sporting exhibitions. The premium is placed on the spectacle, not the skill. What November 15 has in store for spectators, we will have to wait and see. If Jake Paul wins, it could usher in a new era of celebrity matchups taking center stage in the boxing world. It might even feed his ego enough to fight an active, professional boxer. If Mike Tyson comes out triumphant, we may see a hiatus from exhibition boxing. True legends of the sport, like Tyson, will maintain and enhance their respectability. Whatever happens, one outcome can be guaranteed though: there will be just as many enthused fans watching with anticipation as avid boxing lovers who will turn the other way.