ARLINGTON, Texas — The slap heard ’round the world struck Jake Paul on the left cheek Thursday night.
Mike Tyson whipped his open-palmed right hand across Paul’s face at the weigh-in before their wild and weird and puzzling event.
In a boxing ring.
At midfield in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Based on social media reaction, the slap fueled excitement but also speculation that the fight is less than legitimate. But there’ll be no slapping when the gloves go on during an odd pairing.
Tyson, the 58-year-old former heavyweight champ, will be fighting as a pro for the first time in almost two decades against Paul, the 27-year-old social media sensation.
Netflix will livestream it to 280 million viewers.
A crowd of about 70,000 is expected to watch it live.
It’s only a matter of time before we’ll all know: What comes after the slap?
The main card has begun. Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for all the developments from the undercard, to the walk-ins to the Tyson-Paul fight:
When is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?
Friday
What time is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?
The main card for the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight starts at 8 p.m. ET. Tyson and Paul are expected to make their way to the ring at about 11 p.m. ET.
Where is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?
AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
How to watch Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight
Netflix. A subscription is required. Monthly subscriptions start at $6.99.
Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield among stars on hand
ARLINGTON, Texas – The stars Friday night are shining big and bright in the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. Famous faces are on-hand to see the highly anticipated fight between boxer/YouTuber Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight champion.
Legendary boxer Lennox Lewis raised his arms in triumph posing at AT&T Stadium. Lewis, 59, predicted to Netflix that when Paul sees Tyson, Paul’s “going to take off. He’s going to be running. He’s going to be scared.”
Later, Lewis and Evander Holyfield appeared on Netflix’s broadcast. Because of a faulty earpiece, Holyfield couldn’t properly hear the questions. Lewis helped by relaying the queries directly to Holyfield. Holyfield and Tyson faced off in a memorable bout in 1997, during which Tyson bit a piece of Holyfield’s ear off. See what other stars came out here. — Erin Jensen
Whose ear did Mike Tyson bite in a boxing match?
During their second fight in 1997, Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s right ear. Tyson was disqualified. The fight came seven months after Holyfield upset Tyson to claim the WBA championship. — Casey Moore
Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson
Three-time heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis provided some firsthand insight during an interview before the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight. Lewis fought — and knocked out — Tyson in 2002. Lewis’ eighth-round KO allowed him to retain the WBC, IBF and IBO titles. — Casey Moore
Why is Rosie Perez commentating on the fights?
Fans were expecting lots of taunting, lots of action, and very little respect between the combatants.
However, fans may not have expected to see an Oscar nominee as part of the broadcast team.
Rosie Perez, an esteemed actor and choreographer, is also a longtime boxing fanatic. She has described how her love of boxing was engrained in her from a very young age. Read about her boxing chops here. — Jon Hoefling
Jake Paul rocks $1M diamond-encrusted ensemble
All eyes will be on Jake Paul when he faces off against Mike Tyson on Friday and the YouTuber-turned boxing star plans to give everyone something to look at.
Paul gave his millions of Instagram followers an early look at his boxing ensemble, which he described as the “most expensive boxing outfit of all-time.” According to Paul, his outfit features 380 carats among his boxing shorts, shoes and jacket. All The Smoke Boxing reported that Paul’s ensemble costs $1 million.
The 27-year-old will wear a pair of silver shorts decked out in tons of bling. Paul’s name is emblazoned on the front of his shorts in diamonds with diamond tennis chains attached all over. The same can be found on his boxing shoes. He completed the look with a jewel-encrusted gray jacket that features the logo of his new body care line, W by Jake Paul. — Cydney Henderson
Mario Barrios def. Abel Ramos in split draw
The fight was beautiful, insane, brilliant, and incredible to watch. It wasn’t just the fight of the night. It will likely be one of the fights of the year.
Mario Barrios retained his WBC welterweight title with a split draw decision over Abel Ramos. The judges ruled it 114-112 Ramos, 116-110 Barrios and 113-113.
Ramos recovered from early-round knockdowns only to knock Barrios to the ground later. For much of the fight the two men brawled. But it was more than a brawl; it was so technically sound for much of it, you could use it as a teaching tool in a class.
This was a remarkable moment in boxing and why the sport isn’t dead yet. — Mike Freeman
Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos, welterweight, 12 rounds
Round 12: Ramos lands a strong right and the conditioning is now on display and there are punches in bunches. Barrios at the very end landed a hard right and then another. This ends with great appreciation for two unbelievable warriors. Ramos 107, Barrios 106
Round 11: Barrios’ face swells as if he’s wearing a Halloween mask. He’s not quitting. Ramos gets a cut under his left eye. He’s not quitting, either. Somehow this fight makes it to the final round. This is what courage looks like. Ramos 97, Barrios 96
Round 10: Barrios’ nose continues to bleed, likely impeding his breathing. Ramos’ nose also starts bleeding. There is no stopping or slowing. They are going full-out. Both fighters almost simultaneously land right hands. Ramos’ whole face is bloody now, but nothing is slowing him. Blood? Pffft. Ramos 88, Barrios 86
Round 9: Barrios keeps backing up. Is he trying to set some kind of trap? If he is, it isn’t working. At least not now. Barrios’ nose starts bleeding. Ramos throws consecutive hooks. Ramos hits body shot. Ramos hits with a left hook. This is a wild fight. Ramos 79, Barrios 77
Round 8: This has turned into a brawl which is what Ramos always wanted. The problem remains Barrios’ lack of evading. Ramos looks fresher and meaner. He threw two punches that defined the round: right to the head and one to the body. Ramos’ confidence could ignite another Big Bang. Ramos 70, Barrios 69
Round 7: Barrios keeps dropping his guard and Ramos keeps taking advantage. Now, Ramos believes he can win. What a remarkable turn this has taken. Barrios keeps moving straight backwards with Ramos in pursuit. Barrios 60, Ramos 60
Round 6: WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! A shocker! What a stunning turn. Ramos lands a hard right punch and the champ goes down. What the hell just happened? Boxing happened. That’s what. Ramos’ toughness has changed this fight. Barrios catches another punch near the bell. Everything has suddenly changed. Barrios 53, Ramos 50
Round 5: Barrios continues to dictate the pace. Barios has set the terms and Ramos can’t quite counter. Ramos’ best weapon remains the jab. Barrios remains patient. He knows he’s in control and is pursuing. He’s just waiting. Barrios 45, Ramos 40
Round 4: Ramos is tough and game, but he’s run into a superb, world-class fighter. Every punch Ramos throws lands, but not hard. Meanwhile, Barrios seemingly connects at will. Barrios has 18 knockouts. One more could be coming soon. Barrios 38, Ramos 33
Round 3: Barrios realizes he can get to Ramos at any time so he spent time measuring and dissecting. Ramos shows a tremendous amount of heart in the face of danger and responds with combinations to the body of Barrios. Ramos was getting his shots in, but Barrios still in control. Barrios 29, Ramos 25
Round 2: Barrios threw a three-punch combination so fast that it was a blur. This is why boxing requires such superhuman skill because of sick hand speed like that. We saw that speed again when Barrios connected to Ramos, causing him to crash to the canvas. It was a left hook followed by a right hand. Barrios 20, Ramos 16
Round 1: Ramos is known for his highly impactful jab and he throws it effectively from the start. But Barrios wasn’t messing around with too many jabs. He threw a hard right to the face of Ramos and it absolutely shook him. In fact, it sent him nearly to the ground. That fluid, technical, powerful punch is why Barrios is a champion. Barrios 10, Ramos 8
Mario Barrios (29-2) and Abel Ramos (28-6-2) have entered the ring and introductions are underway for the second fight of the main card. They ae fighting for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title.
What is Mario Barrios’ nickname?
The 29-year-old WBC welterweight title holder goes by the nickname “El Azteca” as a tribute to his Mexican heritage and Aztec civilization. — Casey Moore
What ethnicity is Mario Barrios?
Mario Barrios, who is fighting Abel Ramos on the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul main card, was born in San Antonio, Texas, but he routinely represents his Mexican-American heritage during his fights. — Casey Moore
Neeraj Goyat def. Whindersson Nunes by unanimous decision
Neeraj Goyat danced. Goyat showboated. Goyat toyed with Whindersson Nunes. It was, well, a sloppy fight but Goyat made it fun with his goofiness.
The judges scored the fight 59-55 and 60-54.
This wasn’t the prettiest of fights but it was also the kind of bout that can bring in a new type of boxing audience, because Goyat – who is represented by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions – has millions of followers on social media. At least, that’s the hope. — Mike Freeman
Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes, super middleweight, 6 rounds
Round 6: Goyat finishes the fight the way he started it. He dominates Nunes with flurries of punches, all over the body and face. Goyat also hot dogs so much he should get a mustard deal. But it’s more than fine because he backed it up. As analyst/actor/all-around great queen Rosie Perez said: “It was a sloppy fight, but it was fun!’’ Goyat 54, Nunes 45
Round 5: Nunes goes back to head hunting which is ineffective, and leaves him vulnerable to precision body shots, and Goyat obliges him. Goyat looks far more experienced (and he is). Goyat doesn’t have the power which is why this fight is still a fight. If Goyat had power this fight would have been over in the first round. Goyat 44, Nunes 38
Round 4: Goyat throws a gorgeous, multi-level combo that stuns Nunes. Nunes then throws a nasty left body shot. Goyat goes back to putting on a show. He loves the entertaining part of this. Goyat 35, Nunes 31
Round 3: Goyat is throwing a lot of punches but they aren’t as effective as they should be. Now, Goyat looks tired. He walks across the ring, almost marching, which is a delay tactic. Nunes throws the hardest punch of the fight, landing to the body of Goyat. Nunes is starting to do some damage. Goyat 27, Nunes 24
Round 2: Goyat continues to showboat. It’s actually genuinely funny. I could watch Goyat do this all night. But behind the show are some substantial punches. Goyat 19, Nunes 15
Round 1: Goyat starts with a nice shot to the body and then launches the quick escape. Goyat teases Nunes and Nunes doesn’t make him pay. Goyat again connects. He has millions of followers on social media so all the showboating probably got him 20 million more. Goyat 10, Nunes 8
India’s Neeraj Goyat (18-4) and Brazil’s Whindersson Nunes (2-2-1) have entered the ring and introductions are underway for the first fight of the main card.
Shadasia Green def. Melinda Watpool by split decision
In the closest fight of the prelims, Shadasia Green beat Melinda Watpool by split decision to win the WBO super middleweight title.
The scores: 97-93 Green, 96-94 Green, and 96-94 Watpool.
The fight was so close because both fighters were super technical and smart. Green, early in the bout, was the more aggressive fighter. But it was Watpool who finished with more punching flurries.
And now, we move over to Netflix, home of the main event, and Love is Blind. Though in many ways the latter will always be the champion. — Mike Freeman
Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool, super middleweight, 10 rounds
Round 10: Green displays footwork in evading, but hasn’t been throwing effective punches. She’s actually being tentative in the final round which is sub-optimal. My scoring is sub-optimal. This fight is so close. Watpool 94, Green 92
Round 9: The action picks up big time. Have to give Watpool the slight advantage. Both fighters know these rounds will determine the fight. One thing Green might regret when this fight is over – she has a size advantage that she hasn’t taken advantage of. Watpool 84, Green 83
Round 8: Both fighters being more evasive. Green is bouncing and swift. Her footwork is beautiful. It seems to throw Watpool off. Another close round. In Green’s corner, trainer tells her that Watpool isn’t on Green’s level. But apparently she is. Green 75, Watpool 75
Round 7: Green throws the most beautiful right-hand counter on the night. Watpool throws her own nice counter. Watpool the aggressor in this round. Green 67, Watpool 67
Round 6: Green gets more aggressive and chases Watpool down. Watpool decides to square up and pays the price. Green getting far more aggressive. Green throws a looping overhand that doesn’t connect but it’s a symbol of her aggression. She finished the round with a nice left to the face of Watpool. Green 59, Watpool 58
Round 5: Watpool lands some punches, but Green shrugs them off. Watpool throws a wide right that connects, but barely. We finally see Watpool do what Roy Green Jr. has been asking her to do, move in close, and be active. Fight still close. Green 49, Watpool 49
Round 4: Watpool continues to stay a little too far to the outside. She needs to stay closer and make the fight brawl-ier. That’s not a word, but it’s boxing. We make our own words. The output is lagging with both fighters. Green 39, Watpool 39
Round 3: Watpool plays with fire by standing within Green’s perfect punching distance. But Watpool is fearless and lands her own punches. Who should fear who exactly? Green ends the round with a nice combo. This fight is close. Green 30, Watpool 29
Round 2: Green throws a hard right through the guard of Watpool. It was a beautifully vicious punch. The action picks up heavily with both fighters throwing hard punches. Green lands the hardest, though. This is a fun fight. Green 20, Watpool 19
Round 1: The fighters clearly just feeling each other out. No aggressor. In the corner, Watpool’s trainer says to be more on the attack. Green 10, Watpool 10
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul slap analysis
ARLINGTON, Texas — James Spraggins, a personal trainer who worked with Mike Tyson for three years, said he considers Tyson slapping Jake Paul across the face at the weigh-in a good sign.
“He’s a predator, hunting for knockouts,’’ said Spraggins, who operated an electrical muscular stimulation machine while training Tyson. “Jake, yelling, and acting silly brought the predator out.’’ — Josh Peter
Fans spend big bucks for ‘lifetime experience‘
ARLINGTON, Texas — Tyson Chandler, 49, from Corsicana, Texas, wanted to attend the fight with his son, also named Tyson. For his first time seeing Mike Tyson, Chandler says he paid $4,000 per floor seat.
“It’s a lot of memories, lifetime experience,” Chandler says. “Maybe (Tyson’s) last fight ever, possibly.”
Chandler hopes Tyson “knocks (Paul) out … as fast as possible.”DeCynda Chambers, 57, traveled from New Orleans to see “Iron Mike”.
“I think it’s just epic to see Mike fight in person,” she says. “He was one of my favorites back then, and he’s still my favorite. So we had to fly down to come and see him.”
Chambers doesn’t know how much her floor ticket cost, as it was a gift. But for an event like this, no expense was spared.
“It’s like (a) once-in-a-lifetime moment,” she says.
Paul Dewitt’s very generous best friend, James Dixon, gifted him a $6,500 ticket for the fight. It’s date night for the guys and their wives.
“I’ve always been a Tyson fan,” 51-year-old Dewitt says. “Did some amateur boxing and the fact that I can watch Mike Tyson live, it’s a dream come true.”
“It doesn’t matter,” the ticket price Dixon, 50, says. “I just wanted to see Tyson.” — Erin Jensen
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul inflated
ARLINGTON, Texas — If you’re looking for a sign that this event is larger than life, the 40-foot inflatables of Mike Tyson and Jake Paul outside the west end of the stadium is a good place to start.
The inflatable versions of Tyson and Paul are accompanied with audio recorded statements in what sound like the boxers’ real voices.
“Watch me put this little YouTuber to sleep,’’ Tyson says. And, “Who’s ready to see me obliviate Jake Paul?’’
Yes, obliviate.
Among Paul’s recorded statements, “Watch me put rusty Iron Mike to sleep.’’ And, ”I know legends out.’’
On the east side of the stadium stand inflatables of Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor, who are set to fight in the co-main event.
The inflatables are well traveled. They started at the Texas state fair in Dallas, then made stops in New York, Miami and Atlanta before heading to AT&T Stadium in time for the arrival of the real Tyson and Paul. — Josh Peter
Lucas Bahdi def. Armando Casamonica by unanimous decision
We have our first questionable outcome of the night.
Lucas Bahdi beat Armando Casamonica by unanimous decision. It was a close fight. But in typical boxing form, where scoring can be, um, divergent, the judges ruled it 95-95, 96-93 and 98-92.
Listen, my scoring sucks but I’m not a professional judge.
Casamonica seemed to be the more active fighter but hell, who knows.
Bahdi improves to 18-0 while Casamonica falls to 14-1. — Mike Freeman
Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica, lightweight, 10 rounds
Round 10: Casamonica took this fight on short notice but you wouldn’t know it from his excellent conditioning. Badhi is the one who usually applies the pressure, but he’s been the one under attack. Badhi throws a nice uppercut and Casamonica responds with a flurry of punches. At the end, Casamonica stepped up with more aggression. It was that way throughout the fight. Casamonica 98, Bahdi, 91
Round 9: It’s almost the end of the fight but Bahdi still isn’t active enough. They exchange blows, then wrestle. Ref breaks it up. Then Bahdi lands a nice overhand right. He seems to finally understand he needs to push the pace. Casamonica 88, Bahdi 82
Round 8: Bahdi is sitting back and waiting to counter but he’s not punching enough. Casamonica puts together some nice combinations. He’s sitting into his punches. He throws another hard right to the head of Bahdi. Another quick aside: there are over 300,000 people watching the YouTube livestream. Truly remarkable. Casamonica 78, Bahdi 73
Round 7: Casamonica throws a beautiful four-punch combination. He is starting to find the distance. He’s displaying some strong footwork and quickness. He lands a right and now you feel a shift in the fight. Bahdi is thinking too much. Casamonica 68, Bahdi 64
Round 6: Bahdi responds with some good counters but they aren’t doing much damage. Bahdi is also breathing heavily. The announcers are getting bored. Casamonica 58, Bahdi 56
Round 5: Both fighters take a step back in terms of aggression. Few punches land. But Casamonica lands the few that do. Both fighters starting to look a little tired. Bahdi is almost solely looking for the knockout shot. He needs to amplify his offense. Casamonica 48, Bahdi 47
Round 4: Casamonica throws a beautiful combo but he flirts with danger by staying in the pocket that long with hands low. Bahdi, however, is the more active fighter. This fight so far is extremely close. Bahdi 38, Casamonica 38
Round 3: Casamonica lands a sweeping left hook to the body. Bahdi responds with his own left to the body. The action is picking up now. Quick aside: Former champion Roy Jones Jr. is one of the analysts for the fight and he’s freaking from the future. He predicts almost every punch thrown before it’s thrown. He’s a time traveler. No question. Casamonica 29, Bahdi 28
Round 2: Bahdi sets a trap for an uppercut and hits. But so far both fighters are afraid of letting their hands go. That’s because both are aware of each other’s reputation for knockout power. So far, not much action here. Casamonica 19, Bahdi 19
Round 1: Casamonica knows one thing: moving forward. Then moving forward and oh, by the way, moving forward. He’s eating some punches from Bahdi but landing some of his. Very even first round but Casamonica’s aggression gets him the nod. Casamonica 10, Bahdi 9
Bruce Carrington def. Dana Coolwell by unanimous decision
If you’re looking for one of the future stars of boxing, look no further than Bruce Carrington.
He beat Dana Coolwell in the eight-round fight by unanimous decision. Each judge scored it 80-70.
It was a completely one-sided though entertaining fight. Carrington knocked Coolwell down twice and beat him with a relentless combination of punches that was so varied Coolwell had no defense.
If this fight was any indication this is going to be a hell of a night. — Mike Freeman
Bruce Carrington vs. Dana Coolwell, featherweight, 12 rounds
Round 8: Carrington carried himself like he was the best fighter from start to finish because, well, he was. But it cannot be overstated how tough Coolwell was in this fight. It would have been within the ref’s right to stop the fight because of the punches Coolwell was taking. Carrington backs Coolwell into a corner and knocks him down for the second time in the fight. He’s trying to get his ninth knockout. Carrington 80, Coolwell 60.
Round 7: Carrington sizes up the midsection of Coolwell and tees off. One of the best things about watching Carrington is not just his offense but his delicious defense. Few of Coolwell’s punches are getting through. Coolwell continues to show a gigantic heart, taking numerous vicious punches. Carrington 70, Coolwell 54.
Round 6: Coolwell continues to walk forward but is careful because every time he does, he catches jabs and rights. Left hook to the body of Coolwell stuns him. Carrington starts to show off a little with bouncy footwork. Carrington 60, Coolwell 47.
Round 5: This is a major step up in competition for Coolwell and it’s showing. Coolwell is displaying great courage but is overmatched by Carrington’s speed and skill. Carrington is delivering a symphony of differing punches and tempos. Carrington hits Coolwell with a splendid stash of same side punching on the left. Carrington 50, Coolwell 39.
Round 4: Coolwell punches too low and hits Carrington in the jingle bells. Then, a flash: Carrington knocks Coolwell down with a left hook. The punch moved at warp speed. Carrington 40, Coolwell 31.
Round 3: Carrington continues his domination. He lands a hard left. You’re seeing the fight start to shift as Carrington begins to put on a boxing clinic. And why not? He’s from Brooklyn, after all, land of the boxers who give clinics. Carrington 30, Coolwell 24.
Round 2: Coolwell immediately establishes the jab but for now, for right now, it feels like Carrington is toying with the Australian. Traps are being set. So far. Carrington with another body shot. Felt that one from a thousand miles away. Then a right from Carrington. Carrington finishes with an electric combination. Carrington 20, Coolwell 16.
Round 1: Fighters come out measured but Carrington, from Brooklyn, has the more effective jab. He connects quickly to the body of Coolwell. But Coolwell responds with efficiency and nice jabs of his own. Carrington attacks the body with a nuclear combination. Carrington 10, Coolwell 8.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul odds
BetMGM‘s up-to-date odds for the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul:
- Tie: +1000
- Paul win: -200
- Tyson win: +195
New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul full fight card
- Heavyweight: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
- Super Lightweight: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO women’s super-lightweight titles
- Welterweight: Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title
- Super Middleweight: Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes
- Super Middleweight: Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool for vacant women’s WBO super middleweight title
- Super Lightweight: Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica
- Featherweight: Bruce Carrington vs. Dana Coolwell
How much does it cost to watch Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?
There are three different types of Netflix subscriptions: standard with ads, standard and premium. All Netflix users, regardless of subscription tier, will be able to watch the fight for no additional cost. Here are the different Netflix subscriptions, their prices and what they come with:
- Standard with ads ($6.99 per month):
- Ad-supported, all mobile games − as well as most movies and TV shows − are available.
- Download and watch on two supported devices at a time.
- Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
- Standard ($15.49 per month):
- Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows and mobile games.
- Download and watch on two supported devices at a time.
- Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
- Can add one extra member who doesn’t live with you.
- Premium ($22.99 per month):
- Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows and mobile games.
- Watch on four supported devices at a time.
- Download on six supported devices at a time.
- Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR and with Netflix spatial audio.
- Can add up to two extra members who don’t live with you.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight rules
- Two-minute rounds.
- Eight rounds.
- 14-ounce gloves.
How old is Mike Tyson?
Mike Tyson is 58 years old. His birthday is June 30, 1966.
Mike Tyson fight record
Mike Tyson is 50-6 during his career with 44 knockouts.
How old is Jake Paul?
Born on Jan. 17, 1997, Jake Paul is 27 years old.
Jake Paul fight record
Jake Paul’s record is 10-1 with seven knockouts.
Body language experts reveal clues to Mike Tyson-Jake Paul
At the request of USA TODAY, six body language experts reviewed video of what took place when Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27, met at midfield and elsewhere inside AT&T Stadium before the Cowboys lost to the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 15.
A handshake drew special attention. Initiated by Paul, the handshake took place after the men stared each other down at midfield for about 12 seconds. Not all body language experts had the same interpretation of the handshake that lasted slightly more than one second. Read what they had to say here. — Josh Peter
Mike Tyson will be able to wear knee sleeve
Mike Tyson will be able to wear the black neoprene sleeve he had on his right knee Tuesday at Open Workouts, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The knee sleeve was spotted during a video of Tyson training posted on social media last month. Tyson’s agent, Andrew Ruf, told USA TODAY Sports the boxer is wearing a compression sleeve on his right knee as a preventative measure and does not have an injury. — Josh Peter
Betting on Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Plenty of bettors nationwide have lofty expectations for the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
“I expect Tyson vs. Paul to be the most-bet-on boxing match in BetMGM history,” BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella said. “This is the rare fight that transcends different demographics: Tyson supporters, old-school boxing fans that may have tuned out in recent years, Jake Paul haters and casual sports fans that want to be included in the conversation.”
Paul already owns the No. 2 spot for most-bet boxing matches at BetMGM after his decision victory over Nate Diaz. And, as Rella put it, “Diaz isn’t Tyson.”
The other aspect to consider is where the public money lies. People might be surprised to learn it isn’t with the 27-year-old who has a 10-1 professional record. A staggering 80% of bets, including 73% of money, are on the 58-year-old Tyson to win, per BetMGM. — Richard Morin
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Referee has been in ring with Jake Paul
Mark Calo-oy, a veteran referee from Texas, has been picked to handle the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, according to a copy of the official’s assignments obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
He and Paul won’t need to be introduced. Calo-oy, 64, refereed Paul’s bout against Nate Diaz, a mixed martial arts fan favorite, Aug. 5, 2023 in Dallas.
Paul, the YouTuber-turned boxer, won the highly anticipated, 10-round fight by unanimous decision. — Josh Peter
Mike Tyson expected to honor late daughter
The black boxing trunks Mike Tyson once wore with menace now have a poignant tribute. The name of his late daughter, Exodus Sierra Tyson, is stitched onto the bottom front corner in white lettering, photos show. The garment was specially designed for Tyson by BYLT Premium Basics, a clothing company the boxer has partnered with.
Robert Pursell, a spokesman for BYLT, said the company expects Tyson will wear the trunks for his fight with against Jake Paul Friday at AT&T Stadium. — Josh Peter
When was Mike Tyson’s last fight?
Mike Tyson’s last pro fight took place June 11, 2005. He lost to Kevin McBride when he failed to come out for the seventh round. In 2020, Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in an eight-round exhibition, which ended in a split draw as scored by celebrity judges.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul ring size favors Paul?
The boxing ring for the fight will measure 20 feet by 20 feet inside the ropes, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which regulates combat sports.
Tyson would have preferred to fight in a phone booth, the better to get to Paul quickly without exerting too much energy. Paul would have preferred to fight in a parking lot, the better to tire the 58-year-old former world heavyweight champion.
By TDLR rules, the ring must measure no less than 16 by 16 feet and no more than 24 by 24. Within that range, the size of the ring is up to the promoter.
Mike Tyson: ‘It’s a war’
Not to be outdone, Mike Tyson shared a highlight reel on Instagram that showed clips of him training, stretching and talking about getting back into the ring. (Editor’s note: Reel includes NSFW language).
Tyson says, in part: “It’s a war. … You gotta really believe that. It’s all I’ve ever lived for. Doubt should be eliminated. You should be a doubt annihilator.“
Jake Paul: ‘Tonight we show the world what we’re made of’
Jake Paul proved long ago he is a champion in the social media ring. A few hours before the fight, he shared a photo of himself as a young child on Instagram, posing in a camo T-shirt and showing off his right biceps. The caption read:
“They can’t stop you kid. You’d be so proud of where we are. You always wanted to be an athlete on the biggest stages and playing in the biggest moments. You did it kid. You did it. Nobody ever had to believe in you because all it took was you. Tonight we show the world what we’re made of. Tonight we show everyone else that all it takes is a dream, belief, and unwavering commitment. Tonight we arrive home. Tonight we come alive. GOD DID.” — Heather Tucker
Netflix goes all-in on Tyson-Paul fight
Netflix, the streamer with more than 280 million subscribers worldwide, is going all-in on the fight. The company based in Los Gatos, California, which began streaming live events with a Chris Rock comedy special last year, worked with Most Valuable Promotions to make history.
Netflix’s first live-streamed, professionally sanctioned boxing match will be the streamer’s largest live sports event, according to the Los Angeles Times. The company – which said recently its ad-supported tier reached 70 million active monthly users, up 30 million since May, is trying to grow its advertising dollars. And advertisers want maximum eyeballs at one time – thus, live events are key.
“With Netflix, a lot of our appeal lies in the distribution and reach that we have globally,” said Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction series and sports. “[I]t’s an awesome opportunity where everybody in the world can tune in at the exact same time and have the exact same experience, watching the exact same fight collectively.” — Heather Tucker
Mike Tyson’s cultural impact
Some of you may be wondering why this fight, why someone who is 58, fighting someone decades younger, has become such a big deal. On its surface, this bout is a joke. It’s silly. It shows the lows boxing has reached. But dig deeper. Look specifically at Tyson.
The fact that you know that name, and it catches your attention, says it all. Tyson hasn’t fought in years and yet you’re reading this, and getting your popcorn ready to watch this thing. That’s because Tyson has built up a currency as a cultural force that lasts to this day. If you’re of a certain age (raises hand) Tyson was as much a part of the culture as almost any big star alive today.
He embodied America’s fascination with violence. Every fight we waited to see how badly he would knock out his opponent. Then things shifted and we waited to see if he would ever fall. Like many champions, his fall was as must-watch as his rise.
The interest in this fight today is a piece of what it was like in the 1980s and 1990s. Only multiply it by a 1,000. This is the power of Tyson. This is the power that resonates today and likely will for years to come. — Mike Freeman
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight ticket prices spike
The expected crowd of 70,000 will fall short of Paul’s promise of 90,000. But the ticket prices reflect an increased demand over the past few days.
Prices for get-in tickets listed on Seat Geek on Friday climbed to $50 from as low as $30 less than two weeks ago. But the more significant spike came from field-level seats, according to seasoned ticket broker Patrick Ryan.
Over the past three days, Ryan said, prices for those seats have tripled, to $1,800 from $600 apiece.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 80,000 but can expand to 90,000 with Standing Room Only tickets. Those tickets have not been put on sale. — Josh Peter
How much is Jake Paul getting paid to fight Mike Tyson?
Jake Paul said he’ll make $40 million for his fight with Mike Tyson. Tyson is expected to make $20 million.
Mike Tyson net worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mike Tyson’s net worth is $10 million.
Jake Paul stats: Height, weight, reach
Paul is 6-1, 227.2 pounds and has a reach of 77 inches.
Mike Tyson stats: Height, weight, reach
Tyson is 5-10, 228.4 pounds and has a reach of 71 inches.
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight wagering heats up
Caesars SportsBook has reported taking a $1 million bet on Jake Paul to win, and Jay Kornegay, a well-regarded bookmaker in Las Vegas, reports “a lot of solid action” on the fight.
Kornegay, executive vice president of race and sportsbook operations at the Westgate SuperBook, said it won’t approach levels for the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor in 2017, “but tremendous action across the board..”
He said 87% of the tickets are on Tyson, but overall the handle is balanced due to large wagers on Paul. When asked about the $1 million bet, Kornegay said, “People supporting Paul are betting with conviction and a lot of confidence. People betting (on) Mike seem to be in a what-the-heck state of mind.” — Josh Peter
Jake Paul net worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jake Paul’s net worth is $80 million.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson predictions
- Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports: The days of Mike Tyson threatening to eat the children of his opponents is long gone. So too is the era of invincibility that made him one of the most feared boxers ever. But an AARP card-carrying Tyson vs. Jake Paul? C’mon. Prediction: Tyson by TKO, 3rd round.
- Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie: One of these guys is the best ever, the most brutal and vicious and most ruthless champion there’s ever been. The other one is Mike Tyson (just kidding). But seriously, I can’t bring myself to pick a 58-year-old man to beat someone under 30. It’s going to be Jake Paul’s night, and we’ll likely all be watching through our fingers as it unfolds.
- Daniel Yanofsky, The Sporting News: Paul pulls his punches a bit to give the crowd their money’s worth before forcing Tyson down. It will be a circus show either way, but a successful one, allowing Netflix, Paul and Tyson to pat themselves on the back. Prediction: Paul by TKO, 6th round.
- Guilherme Cruz, MMA Fighting: When this fight first got booked, I thought Tyson could get it done. He definitely hits hard, he’s way more experienced than Paul, but I’ve changed my mind after seeing so many (short) clips of Tyson training. … all we see is Tyson throwing the same combination over and over and over again. Prediction: Paul by split decision.
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