Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul betting odds, fight date, preview

YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005. Four months later, Mike Tyson would announce his retirement from professional boxing during a bout against Kevin McBride. Fast forward nearly 20 years and one of the internet platform's biggest stars has announced a Netflix-exclusive fight against the disgraced former heavyweight champion.

Jake "Problem Child" Paul will take on "Iron" Mike Tyson in a boxing match in front of 80,000+ at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight will be streamed exclusively on Netflix on July 20 as the streaming giant makes an ambitious attempt to dip into the live sports market.

Can Jake Paul conquer a former heavyweight champion in Mike Tyson?

It's unclear at this point whether the bout will be a professional or exhibition match, but one thing is certain: it is happening.

Paul, a YouTube star turned professional boxer, has come under fire in recent years for the opponents he's chosen to fight throughout his brief career. He's made a name for himself in the boxing world mainly scrapping with retired UFC fighters and semi-professionals. Therefore, in order to earn the respect of the community, he took a fight with a man nearly 31 years his senior on Thursday.

It's been nearly 40 years since Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986. He would go on to add the WBA and IBF titles one year later, which had him on top of the boxing world heading into the 1990s. Paul, meanwhile, still wouldn't be born for another decade.

While Tyson is one of the most decorated boxers in the history of the sport, to say he is past his prime in 2024 would be extremely generous. The former undisputed world heavyweight champion looked a shell of his prime self when he retired in 2005. It's hard to put into words how many imagine he'll look when he returns to the ring in July at the age of 58.

Paul enters the bout with a professional record of 9-1 with six knockouts. Tyson holds a career record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts. Despite the glaring advantage in experience going to "Iron Mike," it's Paul who opens up as the overwhelming favorite. The 27-year-old has an 83.33% implied probability of winning the bout, according to the opening betting line.

Here are the early odds for what Paul has dubbed the "fight of the 21st century," as of March 7:

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

Time/TV: Saturday, July 20, 2024 (Netflix)

Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Odds: Jake Paul -500, Mike Tyson +325