Mike Tyson will be fighting social media superstar Jake Paul live on Netflix on July 20 in the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, Netflix tweeted Thursday morning.
Netflix announced the epic bout with a 19-second promo video that showed Jake Paul arriving on a rooftop via helicopter to square off with Iron Mike.
It’s JAKE PAUL vs. MIKE TYSON — yes, really! — in a LIVE BOXING event at AT&T Stadium you won’t want to miss. Airing live on Netflix Saturday, July 20 #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/ULXVeCYeH6
— Netflix (@netflix) March 7, 2024
It’s a wild announcement. This story has everything. A 27-year-old former Disney star turned social media influencer who has managed to become enough of a draw in boxing that he gets a fight with arguably the greatest boxer of all time.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – MARCH 01: Jake Paul poses during the weigh in against Ryan Bourland for their cruiserweight fight at Distrito T-Mobile on March 01, 2024 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They will fight at Coliseo de Puerto Rico on March 2, 2024. Al Bello/Getty Images
HATO REY, PUERTO RICO – MARCH 2: Jake Paul (Red) punches Ryan Bourland during their cruiserweight fight at Coliseo de Puerto Rico on March 2, 2024 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Ricardo Arduengo/Getty Images
And how about Iron Mike? He’s 57 years old and a completely different human than the one who bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997. And he’s getting back in the ring? To face Jake Paul, of all people? Absolutely crazy. (RELATED: Champion Boxer Makes Stunning Claim Involving Bohemian Grove)
Then there’s the platform. This event will be Netflix’s first foray into combat sports and represents their second large streaming event. In March 2023, they debuted Chris Rock’s latest comedy special “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage” as a live event. The special set a streaming record at the time, earning Nielson’s recognition as the most streamed special in a one-week span, according to Deadline.
It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers this fight brings in. Iron Mike is obviously a draw at any age. His last fight, an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr., drew over 1.6 million pay-per-view buys, Tyson’s promoter told USA Today.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 28: Roy Jones Jr. throws a punch in the first round against Mike Tyson during Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. presented by Triller at Staples Center on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 28: Mike Tyson celebrates after receiving a split draw against Roy Jones Jr. in the locker room during Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. presented by Triller at Staples Center on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller
Paul is a decent draw in his own right, turning what was once considered a joke of a boxing career into a legitimate feature act. His last fight against Tommy Fury reportedly drew over 800,000 pay-per-view buys, though some have called that number into question.
Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury surpassed more than 800,000 PPV buys globally, according to MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian pic.twitter.com/lWsVZHtx59
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 21, 2023
Statement from Bidarian: pic.twitter.com/t82UIQykUL
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 22, 2023
Regardless, this event marks a seismic shift in sports, culture, streaming, sports business and way more, with a number of far-reaching implications. Will people actually watch? Does anybody care about a 57-year-old, legend though he may be, fighting a 27-year-old influencer? The attention this fight gets and the cultural reaction in the aftermath could say a lot about where the sports and entertainment industry is today when the dust settles.