Say what you will about Internet attention-seeker Jake Paul. He may be a jackass, but he is not a chicken. And he’s willing to fight.
On November 15, all eyes will be on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul.
Paul – who began by dabbling in boxing and has since worked hard to make himself into a serious contender – will prove his mettle by squaring off against Iron Mike Tyson.
Long regarded as the most fearsome man in boxing, Tyson is famous for a punch so vicious that getting slugged by him has been likened to being hit by a Vespa going 15 kilometers per hour.
But that does not stop the betting traders at 888sport from making Tyson into a 12/5 underdog and Paul into a 4/11 favourite. If you want to win $40 on Paul taking the match, you’ll have to be willing to lose $110. But $50 on Tyson will yield $120 if he prevails.
Fight Winner - Mike Tyson
Considering that Tyson – who stands 5’ 10” and weighs 220 pounds – has an estimated net worth of $10 million, his fight-night payday of $20 million or more is not insubstantial. Paul claims that he will net $40 million.
Though Tyson is long past his pugilistic prime, at age 58, he remains a force to be reckoned with. “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 former champ said in a statement.
Tyson describes himself as the Greatest Of All Time and Paul, 27, is hoping to get there.
By the reasoning of Roy Jones Jr., who fought Tyson in 2020, that sounds about right.
“It’s a great opportunity for both fighters,” Jones told FightHype, pointing out that the advanced age of Tyson is likely to be a potential saving grace for Paul. But then he added, “I still think Mike is going to be a little bit too much for Jake.”
Joe Rogan seemed to be on the side of Tyson as well when he said, “[Tyson’s] power is the last thing to go. But the speed is still there.”
The great trainer Teddy Atlas would bet on Tyson early – “The first couple minutes could be a little risky for Paul against the guy who was the youngest heavyweight champ and a guy with one of the greatest combinations of speed and power in the heavyweight division” – and sounds like he favors Paul if the eight-round fight goes past the first few bells. “If the gas tank starts to putter,” he told Seconds Out, “then the younger man has the advantage.”
As for Paul - who stand 6’ 1” and weighs a hefty 230 pounds – he might be underestimating Tyson. In describing his experiences as a boxer, her told Hollywood Reporter that “85 percent of the hits you don’t really feel.” Maybe that’s easy for him to say since he has been fighting for only four years – and he has yet to confront an opponent whose very nickname is “Iron.” Over his four years of learning the sweet science, Paul has logged 10 fights and lost just one.
Whatever the case, one thing is certain: This fight will be one heck of a spectacle – complete with a pre-fight documentary that will play on NetFlix.
Of course, since everything, even a tie, is more exciting when you wager on it, 888sport boxing betting markets have a draw at 17/2.
But that is not what either man will be aiming for in the ring. Jake Paul has his sights set on “becoming a world champion.” He relishes the idea of squaring off against the greatest heavyweight champion ever … This will be the fight of a lifetime.”
Despite the confidence, one of Tyson’s old sayings can put fear in the heart of any man. “Everyone has a plan,” he cautions, “until they get punched in the face.”
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*
