In case you haven't heard about it, heavyweight legend Mike Tyson is returning to the boxing ring this year. He will face a much younger opponent, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, in an exhibition boxing match on July 20.
The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which can accommodate around 80,000 people. It will also be streamed live on Netflix.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 16: (L-R) Mike Tyson, Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul pose onstage during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Boxing match Arlington press conference at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix
Netflix Steps Into the Fight Game for the First Time
Popular for its wide catalog of movies, drama series, documentaries, and more, Netflix is not exactly known for live sports broadcasts.
But recently, Netflix has been experimenting with hosting live events. This month, the streaming app has featured three special live events, all comedy specials like Katt Williams: Woke Foke live last May 4 and The Roast of Tom Brady, which went live the following day.
Without the hefty pay-per-view price tag, Netflix is now bringing the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson exclusively to Netflix viewers live on June 20. This will be the first time the streaming giant will host a big sports event.
The bout may sound bizarre, but this is not the first time Iron Mike has returned from retirement to fight. In 2020, Mike Tyson agreed to an exhibition fight with former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a split draw decision.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul, YouTube's 'Problem Child,' has also beaten former UFC fighters Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva in previous flashy boxing matches. Paul has also knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in a match that shocked the internet in 2020.
The event is more than a clash between a boxing legend and one of the biggest names on YouTube. The affair will also headline a rematch between fighters Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Serrano is on a quest to snatch Taylor's undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles.
For the undercard matches, fighters Ashton Sylve and Floyd Schofield will face each other in 10 rounds of boxing under the lightweight division. Meanwhile, Julio César Chávez Jr. and Darren Till are scheduled to fight in a six-round bout at cruiserweight.
Despite a noticeable age difference between headliners Tyson and Paul, betting odds for the fight are tight, with Paul as a -170 favorite (via DraftKings) against Tyson's +130. Looking at the tale of the tape, Paul looks good with a five-inch reach advantage over Tyson while also being three inches taller.
Mike Tyson appears conditioned in footage released on social media, showcasing his incredible footwork and world-famous punching power.
NFL Games on Netflix are Coming This Christmas
To add to the action, Netflix has also announced that it will stream several NFL games live in the next three years.
In a recent announcement, the streaming giant said that sports fans can watch exciting matchups between Super Bowl LVII champs, the Chiefs vs. Steelers, and the Ravens vs. Texans on Christmas Day! Check out this news release to learn more.
