Mike Tyson concedes role of villain to young foe in fight with Jake Paul

Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in Thursday ahead of their heavyweight bout.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas Friendship is at the heart of how a fight came together between 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and much younger YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Friction helped build the hype for a bout that is testing the formula for how boxing is delivered to the masses, a first-ever combat sports offering from the streaming platform Netflix rather than pay-per-view or traditional cable.

I think theyre beloved fans of Mike Tyson, Paul said, trying to explain the boisterous boos that have greeted him when the two have appeared together in recent months to hype the event.

And Im the new kid on the block, the disrupter, loud mouth, polarizing figure, Paul said.

And Ive built my career as the heel.

Naturally people want to root against me, and thats great for the sport of boxing.

Tysons first sanctioned professional fight in almost 20 years is set for 8 p.m.

Friday night at the home of the NFLs Dallas Cowboys.

A crowd of at least 60,000 is expected while Netflix offers the bout at no additional cost to more than 280 million subscribers globally.

The 27-year-old Paul is relatively new to the sport, the one-time social media influencer bringing a 10-1 record with seven knockouts mostly against mixed martial artists and journeymen boxers.

Asked about the friendship earlier in the week, Tyson said, Theres no feeling attached.

He proved it by slapping Paul as they faced off following the weigh-in Thursday night.

Tyson appeared to take offense to the way Paul approached him for the faceoff, but didnt bother explaining.

The talk is over, Tyson, who checked in at 228 pounds, said when one of the hosts tried to ask a question.

Now its personal, Paul screamed into a microphone before storming off the stage.

Paul weighed 227 pounds.

Mike Tyson, front left, and Jake Paul, front right, face off during a news conference Wednesday ahead of their fight.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press Tyson was 50-6 with 44 knockouts when he retired after losing to Kevin McBride in 2005, saying he didnt have anything left to give the sport.

He last fought in an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr.

with no fans during the pandemic in 2020.

A fight originally scheduled for July 20 was postponed when Tyson had to be treated for a stomach ulcer after falling ill on a flight.

Tyson said in a documentary chronicling the preparations for the fight that he lost 26 pounds in the process of recovering.

Promoter Nakisa Bidarian, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with Paul, said Tyson was cleared medically weeks ago.

Bidarian sidestepped a question of how concerned he was for Tysons health once he steps in the ring.

Im nervous for both men, Bidarian said.

The reality is Jakes never been hit by someone like Mike Tyson flush on the chin.

And Mike hasnt fought someone like Jake for a very long time.

Thats what makes this interesting.

Paul said he had a vision for the fight about two years ago and shared it with Tyson because he thought the Hall of Famer would understand and be interested.

It took about that long for the bout to come together.

Tyson appeared agitated at both hype events with fans in the Dallas area, first in the weeks before the originally scheduled fight and again at a news conference two nights before the bout.

He was more reflective in a smaller setting with reporters, suggesting he wasnt the same foul-mouthed, scowling fighter from his prime.

Ive been through so many ups and downs since my last fight with Kevin McBride, Tyson said.

Ive been in rehab.

Ive been in prison, been locked up.

Never in a million years did I believe Id be doing this.

According to reports, Paul will get $40 million for the fight, a number he mentioned at another news conference in New York in August.

Tyson, who had two stints in prison over convictions in the 1990s for rape and assault and declared bankruptcy 21 years ago, will get $20 million.

Tyson has said he isnt doing the fight for money.

That old Mike Tyson ...

he doesnt have no more purpose in my life.

He just doesnt exist, Tyson said.

Im having a good time in my life.

I dont have much time left, so Im having the best time of my life.

Several states wouldnt sanction the bout.

Texas agreed to a fight that was eight rounds instead of 10 or 12, with two-minute rounds instead of three, and heavier gloves designed to lessen the power of punches.

Paul has faced persistent questions about why he would fight someone so much older, regardless of Tysons pedigree.

His answers have been consistent.

I say talk to Mike and tell Mike that, Paul said.

Hes the one that wanted it to be a pro fight and me, as a young person in this sport, is not going to (pass) up the opportunity to fight the GOAT of boxing.

Its like Ja Morant turning down a 1-v-1 against LeBron.

Its not going to happen.

There is a high-profile championship fight on the card the co-main event of Katie Taylor vs.

Amanda Serrano.

Paul said he wanted to give the women a spotlight after their slugfest at sold-out Madison Square Garden in 2022.

It was the first time women headlined a boxing event at the famous venue.

Taylor won a split decision that many questioned.

Bidarian and Paul say the rematch for the undisputed super lightweight title will be the most lucrative womens sporting event in history.

A lot of people said the real main event is Taylor-Serrano, Bidarian said.

Im OK if you feel that way.

Jake has said hes more excited about that fight than his own fight.

But we wanted to ensure the most eyeballs got to see that fight.

To be quite honest with ourselves, Paul-Tyson draws a bigger audience.

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