Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face, as Mike Tyson once observed. YouTube star Jake Paul’s plan? Fighting the boxing legend and former heavyweight champion live July 20 on Netflix.
The event will be hosted at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Netflix announced Thursday, and will be aired exclusively on the streaming service.
Paul, who first gained fame for his YouTube videos, pivoted to a boxing career after knocking out former NBA star Nate Robinson as an amateur in 2020. Paul has won nine of 10 fights with six knockouts against mostly undistinguished opponents, including several mixed martial artists and a fellow YouTuber.
His only loss came last year to Tommy Fury, the less-accomplished half brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
“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,” Paul said in a news release. “I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time.”
Tyson, 57, was once one of the most feared and controversial fighters in the history of boxing, but he has not had a professional fight since losing an exhibition bout in 2005 to Irish journeyman fighter Kevin McBride in the District.
Tyson was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-90. He retired in 2005 after winning 50 fights, 44 by knockout.
Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions is organizing the fight through a partnership with Netflix.
“[Paul]’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 said. “It’s a full-circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch.”
The Tyson vs. Paul matchup is the latest foray into live sports for Netflix. The company hosted the “Netflix Cup,” a crossover event involving professional golfers and Formula 1 drivers, in November. The streamer also aired “The Netflix Slam,” a live exhibition tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in Las Vegas.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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