Organizers announced on Thursday that former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will make a comeback to the ring to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an exhibition match that will be broadcast on Netflix.
On July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) confirmed the fight between Tyson, 57, and Paul.
In a statement, Tyson stated that he was excited to take on a fighter who is 30 years his junior and that he had been impressed by Paul’s performances in his fledgling boxing career.
The moment Jake Paul told Logan he was fighting Mike Tyson 🥹 pic.twitter.com/XlcSrgzDcn
— betr (@betr) March 7, 2024
Tyson said, “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.”
The 27-year-old Paul, who has a 9-1 record and six knockouts, has gone from a viral knockout sensation to a professional boxer, facing former UFC stars Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley in high-profile main events.
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
Despite not competing in a professional match since 2005, Tyson, 58, remains engaged in the boxing industry. He was the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. Following an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, Tyson is scheduled to return to the ring with a much younger opponent in Jake Paul.