Mike Tyson fighting Jake Paul on Netflix is sure to draw eyeballs, and dollars. Is it good for the sport?

Social media personality Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson are set to face off in what is expected to be the most-watched boxing event of all time on Friday. The fight will be live-streamed on Netflix and has garnered significant attention due to the celebrity status of both participants and the unique circumstances surrounding the match.

Jake Paul, 27, rose to fame as a child star and later gained a massive following on YouTube in the 2010s. He transitioned to professional boxing four years ago and has since trained extensively with top coaches. While he has participated in several high-profile novelty matches, none have been as significant as his upcoming bout with Tyson.

Mike Tyson, 58, is a boxing legend who held the undisputed world heavyweight championship from 1987 to 1990 before retiring in 2005. Despite his storied career, Tyson has faced health issues in recent years, including sciatica. The match with Paul was initially scheduled for July but had to be postponed when Tyson fell ill with a bleeding stomach ulcer in May.

Both fighters are poised to earn substantial paydays from the event. DraftKings Network estimates that Tyson will make $20 million for the fight, while Paul, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions, stands to earn double that amount through his partnership with Netflix.

There has been mixed reaction to the matchup, with some criticizing it as a “sham” and a “disgrace to boxing.” Spider Jones, a sports journalist and former amateur boxer, believes that Paul should be facing top contenders instead of an aging former champion. However, others see the publicity generated by the fight as a positive for the sport.

The fight is scheduled for eight rounds of two minutes each, with both fighters using heavier 14-ounce boxing gloves. The preliminary card will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the main event slated for 8 p.m. ET.

Despite the controversy surrounding the matchup, the boxing world is buzzing with excitement. Tyler Buxton, president of United Promotions Boxing, describes the event as massive and the largest boxing event of the year. He believes that Paul, often underestimated as a boxer, has a good chance of winning. Matt Hoffar, CEO of Empire Boxing Enterprises, acknowledges the unpredictability of the fight but hopes to see Tyson prove that experienced boxers still have the upper hand in the ring.

In conclusion, the upcoming match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has sparked both criticism and anticipation within the boxing community. As the event draws near, fans and critics alike eagerly await the outcome of this high-profile showdown.