One of the greatest boxers of all time will hop in the ring with the man accused of destroying the sport when Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight a heavyweight bout on Saturday.
Tyson has already landed the first blow, slapping Paul at their pre-fight weigh-in.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Tyson vs Paul fight?
The fight will take place at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
It will be Friday night in Texas when the bout gets underway, but it will be Saturday here in Australia.
What time is the Tyson vs Paul fight?
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul were supposed to fight earlier this year, but it was delayed due to Tyson’s health. (AP: Julio Cortez)
The stream of the card is set to get underway at 12pm AEDT with Tyson and Paul set to hit the ring a couple of hours later.
Where can I watch the Tyson vs Paul fight in Australia?
In case it wasn’t clear how ridiculous this event is, Jake Paul’s appearance at the open warm-up should give a hint. (AP: Julio Cortez)
The entire card will be available to watch on Netflix, the first time the streaming giant has ventured into live boxing.
For all subscribers to Netflix, the fight is a free part of the package.
You can also follow all the action on the ABC Sport live blog from 12pm AEDT on Saturday.
Did Tyson slap Paul?
Tyson (left) slapped Paul (right) as they took up their position for the traditional post-weigh-in face-off. (AP: Julio Cortez)
Tyson most certainly slapped Paul at their pre-fight weigh-in.
After stepping on the scales, the antics started with Paul crawling up towards the traditional face-off for the cameras with Tyson.
As he rose up right into Tyson’s grill, the former heavyweight champ took exception to something — or was sick of Paul’s schtick, or was play-acting to a promotional script — and slapped Paul across the chops.
“I didn’t even feel it,” Paul said.
“He’s angry, he’s an angry little elf. Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re gonna get knocked the f*** out.
“I’m f***ing him up. He hits like a bitch. It’s personal now. He must die.”
How do Tyson and Paul compare?
Tyson and Paul got on the scales on Thursday, local time, with both needing to top 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms) to qualify for a heavyweight fight.
Paul weighed in at 227.2 pounds (103kgs), and Tyson at 228.4 (103.6kgs).
Paul has won 10 of his 11 sanctioned bouts since 2020, while Tyson has a 50-6 record from his 20-year professional career, and was the youngest heavyweight champion ever.
How old is Mike Tyson?
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s fight is a heavyweight bout. (AP: Sam Hodde)
Tyson will be 58 years old when he ducks under the ropes to face 27-year-old Paul.
Tyson was just 20 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick to win his first heavyweight world title way back in 1986.
This is his first professional fight since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005, although he did fight fellow retired champion Roy Jones Jr in late 2020.
What are the rules?
There have been a lot of questions asked over how this fight, with the biggest age gap between participants in boxing history could be officially sanctioned.
The hope is that a shorter fight with shorter rounds — eight two-minute rounds rather than 10 or 12 three-minute rounds — will make it less taxing.
The fighters will also wear 14-ounce gloves (396 grams) instead of the traditional 10-ounce mitts (283 grams).
Why are they using heavier gloves?
The theory is that the heavier gloves can’t be swung as quickly and the extra padding softens the blows, reducing damage, but the opposite has also been argued.
“The glove size means nothing,” boxing promoter Lou DiBella told USA Today when asked about the bout.
“Does nothing to soften brain blows; some argue that the bigger mass creates more contact and more ricochet effect of brain moving.”
Who is on the undercard?
There are six fights before Tyson and Paul, including a massive rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for the unified lightweight world titles.
The pair’s first bout was named fight of the year in 2022 by Sports Illustrated and The Ring, with Taylor winning a 10-round split decision.
Australian Dana Coolwell is also in action to start the night, taking on American Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington.
The other fights include:
- Lucas Bahdi vs Corey Marksman
- Shadasia Green vs Melinda Watpool
- Neeraj Goyat vs Whindersson Nunes
- Mario Barrios vs Abel Ramos
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