The problem child takes on his biggest challenge yet.
In a fight that bucks every prediction for his future career, Jake Paul will take on mythical heavyweight Mike Tyson in 2024. It will likely be one of the most-watched boxing matches of this millennium. The crack matchup will also pit one of the biggest rising stars against who is often considered to be the single scariest boxer in the history of the sport.
Here’s everything we know about the fight, from when it will take place to how to watch it and who we think will win in the end.
When will Jake Paul fight Mike Tyson?
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) confirmed the date on March 7 through its official social media page. The fight is scheduled to take place on July 20, 2024. An exact time for the fight has not been scheduled yet. Promoter MVP is also working with dozens of boxers who will be eager to join the action.
How to watch the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight
In another unprecedented move, the fight will take place live on streaming service Netflix. The streaming and production company has never hosted a PPV-live event for boxing before. It’s not clear if the fight will be free to watch or if users will need to pay for the event.
The fight will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Our prediction is that the Tyson versus Paul fight will feature a live crowd. Tickets are not up for sale yet, but expect them to be a hot commodity when they release sometime in the next couple of months.
Our prediction for Jake Paul and Mike Tyson
Several factors could play a role in who wins the fight. The first is whether or not it will be an actual boxing event. The 2020 Lockdown Knockdown featured a throwback matchup between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. That match had a very controversial ruleset which made it illegitimate in some fans’ eyes.
California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster even stated the fight was “about entertainment. It’s not about competition.” He later explicitly described it as an exhibition. The fight also featured shorter rounds and heavier gloves to further decrease the chances of a knockout.
The unique ruleset was partially due to the fighters’ ages. Mike Tyson will be 58 years old at the time of the fight. However, Jake Paul will be just 27. It’s not clear if an athletic commission will clear it as a “real fight.” Ten three-minute rounds are likely off the table.
As for each fighter’s abilities, Tyson looked surprisingly capable in his bout with Jr. He moved surprisingly well for a fighter his age, and instinctual body shots in the clinch showed he still had the mindset. The nature of the fight didn’t showcase his signature power and toughness from his peekaboo stance, but Iron Mike isn’t just a fancy nickname.
Jake Paul, meanwhile, is on a three-fight streak with wins over Andre August, Ryan Bourland, and former UFC star Nate Diaz. He has three inches in height and five inches in reach over Tyson, not to mention three decades of youth. A split-decision loss to Tommy Fury proves that he still has room to grow in the boxing world. However, all of these physical advantages may cancel out Iron Mike’s x-factor.
Assuming similar rules to the Roy Jones Jr. fight with heavy gloves and eight two-minute rounds at 200 pounds, our prediction is that Jake Paul will narrowly beat Mike Tyson by a few points. A knockout is almost impossible under those circumstances, hurting Tyson's chances. Paul’s speed and reach should be massive advantages even in a shorter fight. The only thing we know for sure is that both men will walk away much richer than before.
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