By Shaun Murphy-
Netflix, the entertainment powerhouse, is set to shake up the world of live sports with a blockbuster boxing event featuring two titans of the ring: Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
The streaming giant announced Thursday that Tyson, the legendary former heavyweight champion, will face off against Paul, the controversial YouTuber-turned-fighter, in a high-stakes showdown streaming exclusively on Netflix on July 20.
The highly anticipated event will take place inside the illustrious AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, adding an extra layer of grandeur to what promises to be an electrifying spectacle.
For Netflix, known primarily for its extensive library of films and series, this venture into live sports represents a bold move to solidify its position as the premier destination for at-home entertainment in the United States.
The company’s recent 10-year deal to exclusively stream WWE’s “Raw” starting in 2025, valued at over $5 billion, underscores Netflix’s commitment to expanding its sports programming and attracting a broader audience.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas,” said Tyson in a statement accompanying the Netflix announcement. “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so 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,” Tyson added, using the acronym for greatest of all time.
Tyson, a formidable force in the world of boxing, boasts an illustrious career marked by 37 consecutive victories, 33 of them by knockout. However, his life has been marred by controversy, including a 1992 conviction for rape and infamous incidents such as biting Evander Holyfield’s ear during a 1997 bout.
In contrast, Jake Paul, 27, rose to fame as an internet influencer before transitioning to professional boxing in 2020. With a record of 9-1, including six knockouts, Paul has quickly established himself as a formidable opponent in the ring.
“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard,” said Paul in a statement. “Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.”
The upcoming bout is the result of a partnership between Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions, a company co-founded by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide fighters with more creative control, this collaboration marks a new era for boxing entertainment.
With Netflix continuing to expand its sports content, including documentaries and series, the Tyson vs. Paul showdown represents a significant milestone in the streaming giant’s foray into live sports, setting the stage for a thrilling night of boxing that fans won’t want to miss.