The next Vincent Van Gogh of our time might just be Jake Paul (in that he may be earless soon). The YouTube idiot turned heavyweight-boxing idiot will fight Mike Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas tonight. The match, which was postponed due to Tyson’s ulcer flare-up, 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. This 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. 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? Here’s what to know, from what both fighters have said about the delay to how and when to tune in.
What made these two want to fight, anyway?
“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.â€
Why was it postponed?
The punching was originally scheduled to take place on July 20, but it was postponed after Tyson’s ulcer flare-up. According to a May 31 press release, medical professionals recommended that he do minimal to light training over the “next few weeks†before returning to full training without limitations. The match was delayed so that Tyson and Paul could have equal time to prepare. Anyone unable to make the new date is eligible for a refund.
Paul said in a statement at the time that he supported the decision to reschedule because he didn’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 didn’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.â€
Tyson later shared in the Netflix documentary Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson that he “threw up blood,†was “defecating tar,†and lost 26 pounds due to the ulcer. But he recovered, and Netflix announced in June that the match would be rescheduled for November. “Although we had to postpone the fight, I will resume training shortly,â€Â Tyson said in a statement. “While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out.†Ding, ding!
How and when can I watch?
The Tyson-Paul main card will stream on Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube, Netflix Sports YouTube, and Tudum at 8 p.m. ET. on Friday, November 15 (though you can also warm up by watching the prelims at 5:30 p.m. ET). Great news, it will still be topical conversation for a post-election Thanksgiving.
Who’s fighting tonight?
Preliminary fights:
-Bruce Carrington (13-0) vs. Dana Coolwell (13-2)
-Lucas Bahdi (17-0) vs. Armando Casamonica (14-0)
-Shadasia Green (14-1) vs. Melinda Watpool (7-0) competing for the WBO super middleweight title
Main event:
-Neeraj Goyat (18-4-2) vs. Whindersson Nunes (debut)
-Mario Barrios (29-2) vs. Abel Ramos (28-6-2) competing for the WBC welterweight title
-Katie Taylor (23-1) vs. Amanda Serrano (47-2-1) competing for the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF junior welterweight titles
-Mike Tyson (50-6) vs. Jake Paul (10-1)
This post has been updated.