One of the biggest fights in boxing will emanate from AT&T Stadium in Texas when Mike Tyson returns to the ring for the first time since 2005 to take on YouTuber Jake Paul on November 15.
Here are the pre-fight odds and the prediction of the outcome of this mega clash.
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Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson odds
- Jake Paul -205, Mike Tyson +170
- Paul via KO/TKO: +140
- Paul via decision: +300
- Tyson via KO/TKO: +260
- Tyson via decision: +900
- Draw: +1000
Jake Paul is the betting favorite at -205 as of Friday morning, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, while Mike Tyson is the +170 underdog.
Paul was 1-0 before fighting on the undercard of Tyson's exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Since then, he has beaten several MMA fighters and decent boxing veterans. On a four-fight win streak, the brash Paul looks to make a statement while making millions along the way.
Known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet," Tyson pulverized his opponents with ease. The former undisputed heavyweight champion has had several triumphs against the likes of Trevor Berbick and Michael Spinks, but also setbacks against supreme underdog Buster Douglas and Hall of Famers Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.
LIVE: Follow Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson updates from Netflix fight
Tyson retired in 2005, and while he has dealt with health issues over the years, he returns to the ring to attempt to silence the loudmouthed Paul.
“He's (Paul) 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," Tyson said.
"It's a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson prediction
Regardless of the winner, one thing is for sure: The fight won't be pretty.
Tyson is coming off a massive layoff and looked rusty against Jones. Meanwhile, Paul is a wild card, and can often be erratic.
Paul is a power puncher but can also fight in and out of the distance. He landed 49 of 157 shots (31.2%) against Tommy Fury, knocking down the Love Island star in a loss. Against Nate Diaz, Paul landed 174 of 491 shots (35.4%), landing 140 for power. Of those shots, 34 jabs kept Diaz at bay.
The Diaz fight was one of his most impressive wins, as his cardio got tested against someone known for wearing out an opponent.
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Against Andre August, Paul used his jabs to push his opponent back, and he used jabs, uppercuts, and body shots to bully Ryan Bourland, who had one fight in four and a half years before facing Paul. Against Mike Perry, Paul landed 96 punches, 52 of them jabs. He knocked down Perry three times.
Tyson has 44 wins via knockout. Of those wins, 34 did not make it out of the third round. However, his last knockout win was in 2003.
Against Roy Jones Jr., Tyson landed 57 punches with a 34.7% connect mark. He landed hard shots to Jones' body while only landing double-digit shots twice in the eight-round fight. Both looked tired, but Tyson looked the more efficient fighter. That was when he was 54.
The fight realistically can end in a few ways. Tyson can either knock Paul out in the first round or vice versa. Paul can also tire Tyson out the entire fight, forcing him to press forward and use cardio. The fight going the distance would be fascinating to see. How will that affect Tyson's stamina as it goes on?
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One shot by either can realistically end the fight. However, it will be a true brawl at the start if they want to put on a good show. It doesn't mean there will be a knockout immediately, but unlike Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor, it is hard to see it going the distance.
My hope? For the least violent outcome possible.
If Tyson gets knocked down, which seems likely here, hopefully, he gets back up. The prediction: Paul pulls his punches a bit to give the crowd their money's worth before forcing Tyson down. It will be a circus show either way, but a successful one, allowing Netflix, Paul, and Tyson to pat themselves on the back.
Sporting News prediction: Jake Paul via TKO (round six)
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