The boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has sparked intense debate: are they only different ways of forcing the public to spend money to watch an event or is it one of those essential events people cannot afford to miss.
At the break of dawn Saturday across Europe, there is what could be described as the most unusual or perhaps strange but definitely the most eagerly awaited boxing match of the year pitting former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson against YouTube personality cum boxer Jake Paul in Texas.
It’s a 58-year-old veteran against a polarizing 27-year-old opponent. It’s the usual punch line in a boxing movie – is the reigning champion still got what it takes to win or will the newcomer take his title without a flinch?
The fight will be the former undistputed heavyweight champion first professional bout in nearly two decades and for Paul who gained his fame as a YouTuber and a Disney channel actor the bout will be another step to locking his place as one of the most prominent figure in the sport.
For the others it is this sort of fight is such circus act- an embarrassment to boxing, very dangerous for the Tyson and an epitome of degeneration of boxing from pure fighting sport to mere spectacle and milk it for money. For to others its the most thrilling, not-to-be-missed battle of the year.
In any case, the fight has generated obvious interest, to the extent that Netflix will relay it live to its 280 million users worldwide and making it Netflix’s largest live sporting event ever.
The Contenders
The return of Tyson, who in a 1997 encounter had thumbnails on right hand clipped which includes the ear of his rival Evander Holyfield, is rather intriguing. Having had a record of 50-6 and 44 knockouts he was rated one of the most dangerous fighters in the World at the time. However, his last professional fight was in 2005 and now, only a year away from 60, he steps into the ring again with a legacy that can all too easily be sullied.
Then there’s the good old, larger than life, Jake Paul who never misses a moment. The 27-year-old social media star rose to fame in 2020, after transitioning from a funny Disney kid on the YouTube channel to the professional boxer with ambitions to become a world champion in the future. However boxing traditionalist may not like it, Paul’s performances in such a short period deserve this kind of recognition. He currently has a 10-1 professional fighting record, seven knockouts and loss to only Tommy Fury.
“I’m the new kid on the block, the disrupter, the loud mouth, the polarising figure,” Paul has said in the buildup to the fight. AND I’VE HAVE CARVED MY CAREER AS A HEEL. Of course everyone wants to willing me to fail and that is the perfect scenario for the sport of boxing.”
However, Paul’s detractors never pause to think regarding his true fighting ability as a boxer. Up until now most of his wins have been with veterans in the MMA (like Ben Askren and Anderson Silva) and YouTubers that are relatively new to the sport like him. And tonight’s fight, taking into account Tyson’s age, cannot hush up these accusations.
Paul has been continually asked why he would engage Tyson so much older in a fight let alone if it is Tyson the legend. His answers have been particular, especially about the time he spends on Facebook.
“I say talk to Mike and tell Mike that,” Paul said. “He is the one that demanded that it be a pro fight, and for a young man in the sport, it’s not right for me to pass up the shot at the GOAT in boxing.” The same is like Morant rejecting to one on one with LeBron. It’s not going to happen.”
The fight for credibility
In many ways, Tyson vs. Paul symbolises the current state of boxing: A sport that, until not long ago, had fantastic and brutal competition but became more about fun, ego, and show business. Some even claim it is a spent force swinging wildly unsure of when the game is up.
Influencer boxing started becoming popular in 2017 when YouTubers KSI initially fought Joe Weller before challenging the Paul brothers. In many ways the format has paid off in terms of ticket sales and packing arenas along with high sales of pay per view buys.
It raises the question: is this boxing adapting itself in a quite natural manner to the requirements of the new generation, or is the latter actually crippling this sport and rendering it devoid of the viciousness which made it a respected and feared one?
For boxing purists however there is a saving grace on the card: the second fight of the night will be for the world undisputed light-welterweight champion title where Ireland’s Katie Taylor will fight against Amanda Serrano in their second bout.
Having been directly involved in equal pay and fair representation of the female fighters since his foray into boxing, Paul said he intended to bring the women out again after they entertained fans with their brawl at the marque MSG in 2022. This was the first time that women were to headline a boxing match at the renowned site.
Regardless of whether you view Paul as a boxing fraud or believe tonight’s event is a sinister cash grab, one thing is guaranteed: there will be drama. Will you be watching?
