This Saturday, legendary boxer Mike Tyson will face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a highly anticipated and controversial match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The event, which will be broadcast live on Netflix, marks the first time the streaming service has hosted a live sporting event.
The fight has been years in the making, with multiple delays, including Tyson’s recent recovery from a medical issue.
So, who will come out on top?
On today’s episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Brendan Bradford, Combat Sports Journalist at The Daily Telegraph and Code Sports, to unpack his thoughts on the whole affair.
Tyson is significantly older than his 27-year-old opponent, with a 31-year age gap, raising questions about whether it’s appropriate for a near-60-year-old former champion to step into the ring with a younger influencer.
“Why are they fighting? Well, they’re both going to make heaps of money. They’re probably going to make $20 million each. That’s the bottom line,” Bradford said.
Despite the huge payday for both fighters, many in the boxing community are questioning the legitimacy of the match.
“Should a 58-year-old be fighting a 27-year-old? Absolutely not… But Mike Tyson is probably the only person who can get away with it, and somehow, it’s been okayed,” he added.
The fight will take place under professional boxing rules, with eight two-minute rounds instead of the typical three-minute rounds. While the fight is highly anticipated, some worry it may further damage the integrity of the sport.
“The fact that this is even happening… I think if there’s damage, it’s already been done.”
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news and deep dives on topics affecting you, all in under 20 minutes.