As soon as the announcement that Jake Paul would face Mike Tyson in a boxing match this summer made waves through the fight world, it sent shockwaves through. A former pound-for-pound number one and living legend like Tyson stands on many people’s Mount Rushmore of boxing; so taking on an upstart YouTube influencer with only 10 professional fights under his belt may have serious repercussions for both. Beyond financial considerations alone, taking this risk could potentially damage Tyson’s legacy by having him lost by an unlikely opponent whom he finds disrespectful.
On July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas as the main event of a larger card on Netflix, Tyson will face Paul in a boxing bout that will be streamed live as its main event on Netflix. Although Tyson has only sparred briefly since fighting Roy Jones Jr as an exhibition bout in 2020, he remains considered a betting favorite at -225 to win against Paul, with only some US regulated sportsbooks providing odds yet; offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada are providing odds on this bout.
As anticipated by its impressive buildup, this event promises to be hugely profitable in terms of both financial gains and viewership. Promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), which has put on several crossover shows featuring MMA fighters and YouTube celebrities stepping into boxing ring, some producing millions in pay-per-view buys and revenue.
Paul and Logan grew up together in Ohio, becoming YouTube sensations by documenting their adventures together on their channel. Disney Channel then hired them for a series that introduced them to fame – leading them down their current path as producers while diversifying into fighting and other combat sports as well.
As they’ve entered the ring, this duo has gained more momentum and popularity – now reaching over one billion views on YouTube!
Since establishing MVP in 2021, co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has been at the forefront of disrupting sports through his innovative promotional techniques and development platforms for emerging fighters. He has worked closely with UFC fighters before turning his talents to boxing events with hopes to making them as big as possible.
Though many experienced fighters have acknowledged the matchup is legitimate, some veterans have cast doubt upon its legality. British heavyweight Dereck Chisora recently called the fight an unnecessary sparring match and warned that Tyson’s age increases his chance of developing subdural haematomas, or ruptured blood vessels around his brain. Anglia Ruskin University academic Stephen Hughes explained in his piece for The Conversation that increased brain shrinkage and alcohol abuse could exacerbate these complications – both factors applicable to Tyson.