Netflix announced on Thursday that Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer, will face former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Texas. The online portal will broadcast live coverage of the fight between Paul, 27, and Tyson, 57. It is unclear whether it will be an actual fight or an exhibition contest.
Tyson’s professional career ended in 2005, and he has not fought since a draw between him and Roy Jones Jr. in a 2020 exhibition match. In a video posted by Netflix, Paul is seen jumping off a helicopter on a rooftop before confronting boxing icon Tyson.
“My goal is to become a world champion, and now I have the opportunity to show myself against the greatest heavyweight champion in the world, the deadliest man on the earth, and the most dangerous boxer of all time. YouTube influencer Paul, who turned professional in boxing four years ago, said, “Time to put Iron Mike to sleep” on social media.
Paul has won nine of his ten boxing matches, the most of which have been against former UFC fighters. According to the BBC, his only defeat came against British heavyweight Tommy Fury in February of last year.
In a separate tweet, Paul praised Tyson as “the greatest heavyweight of all time and the most vicious KO artist ever.” “But I’m younger, I’m faster and I’m going to be working my ass off to get stronger.”
Widely recognized as one of the best boxers of all time, “Iron Mike,” as Tyson is affectionately known, was a dominant figure during his boxing career, feared for his furious and extremely heavy striking power, resilience, talent, and strength.
Tyson’s rise to popularity began at the 1981 Junior Olympics, where he won gold by knocking out his opponent in the first round in 9 seconds. He won another gold medal at the 1982 Junior Olympics, this time defeating his opponent in 8 seconds, bettering his previous year’s first-round knockout time of 9 seconds.
He began his professional career in 1985, at the age of 18, when he faced Hector Mercedes and knocked him out in the first round. The next year, at the age of 20, Tyson became the world’s youngest heavyweight boxing champion.
“Iron Mike” retired in 2005 with an astounding professional record of 50 wins and 6 losses, including 44 knockouts.