Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul: Netflix bets big on live boxing

Netflix is putting on the gloves and getting into the ring, livestreaming a boxing match featuring former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, 58, and YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 27.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will face off for Netflix.

Netflix is putting on the gloves and getting into the ring.

In its latest foray into the business of live sports, Netflix will livestream a boxing match featuring former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson and YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

The fight is one of the company’s most significant moves into live sports streaming. On Sunday, Netflix streamed a one-night tennis exhibition featuring Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz called “The Netflix Slam.”

In November, the platform aired “The Netflix Cup,” a live golf tournament featuring athletes from its Formula One documentary series, “Drive to Survive,” and “Full Swing,” its show following the world of professional golf.

Netflix in January said it was ramping up its investments in live sports programming, announcing a $5 billion, multiyear deal with WWE wrestling.

It’s JAKE PAUL vs. MIKE TYSON — yes, really! — in a LIVE BOXING event at AT&T Stadium you won’t want to miss. Airing live on Netflix Saturday, July 20 #PaulTysonpic.twitter.com/ULXVeCYeH6

— Netflix (@netflix) March 7, 2024

Netflix co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos said the deal was in line with the company’s focus on sports entertainment content, and that it didn’t signal a change in its strategy of largely avoiding high-profile, costly sports-rights packages.

The Wall Street Journal reported in November that Netflix was in talks to stream a boxing match featuring Paul.

The fight will take place July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Netflix didn’t disclose how much Tyson and Paul would be paid for the match. Representatives for Tyson and Paul didn’t return requests for comment.

Streaming companies have been chasing the often-lucrative world of sports broadcasting for some time, adding more live events to their platforms. As one of the rare types of programming people watch live, sports is especially valuable to advertisers.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will fight on Netlfix ... the fight will take place July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Amazon’s Prime Video and Alphabet’s YouTube have paid hefty sums to stream live National Football League games, while Comcast’s Peacock streams Premier League soccer and carries Big Ten football.

Adding to the spectacle is the significant age gap between the fighters: Paul is 27 years old, while Tyson will be 58 at the time of the match.

On social media, many people commented on the age difference between the fighters. Some admonished Paul for boxing someone past his prime, while others said they would never think of stepping in the ring with the former heavyweight champ despite his age.

Since becoming a professional boxer in 2020, Paul has amassed a 9-1 record with six knockouts. He most recently defeated Ryan Bourland on Saturday by a first-round TKO, which stands for technical knockout in boxing.

Paul is known for his significant social-media presence, having amassed nearly 26 million Instagram followers and 20.5 million YouTube subscribers.

One of the most feared boxers of all time, Tyson was 50-6 with 44 knockouts during his professional career. He was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. However, his last professional fight was a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.

Tyson is a notorious figure in boxing and popular culture. In his 2013 memoir, “Undisputed Truth,” Tyson recounted his boxing career as well as his struggles with addiction, bankruptcy and prison time for a rape conviction. He has since appeared on TV and in several Hollywood films.

Tyson fought in a 2020 exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a split draw. The undercard of that fight featured Paul, in his second fight ever, knocking out former NBA player Nate Robinson.

Paul posted on social media to begin the pre-fight trash talk. “I idolized Mike Tyson until the first time I met him 4 years ago...he called me Logan,” Paul said on X, referring to his brother, Logan Paul. “Going to make sure he knows who I am real close and personal.”

Jessica Toonkel and Gareth Vipers contributed to this article.

The Wall Street Journal