Mike Tyson is stepping back into the ring — this time against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The match is set for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event will be livestreamed exclusively on Netflix via a partnership between the streaming giant and Paul’s Most Valuable Productions, Netflix announced Thursday.
Jake Paul speaks during a news conference Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard,” Paul said, in part, in a statement included with Thursday’s press release. “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.”
Tyson, in a statement shared by Netflix, acknowledged Paul’s accomplishments.
“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,” said Tyson, the undisputed world heavyweight champion between 1987 and 1990. “It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him off on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is seen at an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Tyson isn’t the only one doing some trash-talking: On X, Paul said it was his plan to “put Iron Mike to sleep” on fight night. He also poked fun at Tyson’s face tattoo and ear-biting incident on YouTube.
Netflix has yet to announce any undercards for the July 20 fight. Additional details will be announced at a later date, Netflix said.