Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson is just days away and everyone has an opinion.
The controversial crossover clash has divided fans and experts alike, with many fearing for Tyson’s health as he prepares to step back into the ring with a man 31 years his junior on Friday night.
Tyson recently celebrated his 58th birthday and hasn’t competed in the paid ranks since being retired on his stool by the unheralded Kevin McBride in 2005.
Paul, on the other hand, is in peak condition at 27 and has been actively competing in professional boxing for the last five years where he has built up a 10-1 record.
Like it or loathe it, the contest is projected to be one of the most viewed fights of the 21st century.
All of the action is being broadcast free of charge for existing Netflix subscribers with tens of millions expected to be watching.
The streaming giant currently boasts over 282.7million paid subscribers.
And that number will undoubtedly increase as fight night creeps closer.
Every single fan tuning in will have the same question on their lips: Can a former undisputed heavyweight champion on the wrong side of 60 beat a novice pro in his physical prime? Or will Father Time remain undefeated?
The biggest names from the world of combat sports have cast their verdicts.
But it will all be meaningless on Friday night when Paul and Tyson lock horns at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Only then, will we know the answer.
Who is backing Tyson?
Lennox Lewis
“Mike Tyson’s gonna win. He’s not that old. Don’t take him too softly. We’re one year apart,” Lewis told FOX 29 in Philadelphia.
“You can fight somebody like that and do well, because the person you’re fighting is not a true fighter and there’s a hundred things that you’ve forgotten that he’s learning.”
Roy Jones Jr
“Well, I like Mike, probably by decision,” Jones Jr told talkSPORT. “But if he chooses to go out and take him out, I think he can.
However, I feel like if he feels comfortable he will just box and enjoy himself because why get in shape to go one round…
“I don’t fear for Mike and how old he is. Mike is still hard to hit and Mike still hits hard as hell.”
Tyson Fury
Fury is backing experience to overcome age[/caption]
“If Mike Tyson hits anybody, I don’t care if he’s 90, he’s going to knock them out cold isn’t he?” he told the MMA Hour.
“He’s Iron Mike Tyson, the baddest man on the planet.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson predictions and betting tips
“Jake Paul is very experienced now and he’s had a lot of fights but obviously, I have to back Mike Tyson for the knockout as he always backs me.”
Nate Diaz
“I don’t give a f***,” he said before eventually delivering his prediction. “Nah Mike Tyson.”
Who is backing Paul?
Anthony Joshua
Joshua fears Tyson’s health is at risk[/caption]
“He [Mike Tyson] is older now,” he said on the Jonathan Ross Show.
“I pray that he comes out healthy. I think Jake Paul [wins] because of youth – that’s the only thing.”
Bob Arum
“A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight,” Arum said in an interview with Johnny Boy Boxing.
“You can’t throw punches like you’re supposed to, you can’t do a lot of things. I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him relatively no chance. You lose that muscle memory as you get older.”
Jorge Masvidal
“No matter how much of an athlete, how mean he was in his prime, this is way past his prime,” he said.
“So I just don’t know how much of Tyson is left. Could Jake beat him? Yeah. But is that Mike Tyson? No.”
Sean O’Malley
“I just feel like Jake is too locked in it, been in it too long, in the last five years who’s been in it more?” he told The Schmo.
“I think that matters. He’s what, 30 years younger? I just don’t see this ending well for Uncle Mike.”
Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday
*If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue.
There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now:
- Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans.
- One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale.
- Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month.
- Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale.
DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
