Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images, Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson were previously scheduled to fight live on Netflix on July 20. However, after Tyson’s recent ulcer flare-up, the punching has been postponed until a yet-to-be-announced date. Below, the latest on the match, including statements about the delay from both fighters.
March 7, 2024: The next Vincent Van Gogh of our time might just be Jake Paul (in that he may be earless by the end of summer). The YouTube idiot turned heavyweight-boxing idiot will fight Mike Tyson on July 20. The fight will be broadcast worldwide on Netflix as Big Red’s third live sporting event ever through a partnership between ’Flix and Paul’s sports production company, Most Valuable Promotions. “My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time,” Paul said in a statement. “This will be the fight of a lifetime.” Tyson, meanwhile, said of the fight: “We signed the contract.”
The fight will take place at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas. This bout is another step in Netflix’s move into sports, following The Netflix Cup (golf) and The Netflix Slam (tennis) — both of which were low enough on the “annoying” factor that this classifies as a departure for the streaming service. If Paul comes out with all body parts intact, we will consider this a failure.
April 29, 2024: Per Netflix, MVP and Holden Boxing have announced that this will be a sanctioned fight. That means that, as opposed to the other Paul brother Logan Paul’s brawl against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2021, someone will be declared a winner. Who’s placing bets?
May 31, 2024: Netflix and MVP aren’t pulling the punches, but they are postponing them. Due to Mike Tyson’s ulcer flare-up, medical professionals have recommended that he do minimal to light training over the “next few weeks” before returning to full training without limitations. Per a press release, the match is being delayed so that Tyson and Paul can have equal time to prepare. Anyone unable to make the new date (which will be announced by June 7) will be eligible for a refund.
Paul said in a statement that he supports the decision to reschedule because he doesn’t want Tyson to have any excuses on fight night. “My fans know I don’t want to face Iron Mike at anything but his best,” Paul said, “but let there be no mistake – when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish.” Tyson doesn’t seem too worried, writing in his statement: “My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon. Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good.”
This post has been updated.