Mike Tyson will be in new territory when he fights Jake Paul come July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Not because it’s his first live fight in nearly four years or because it’s the first time Netflix will broadcast a boxing match. But because of the audience that will be watching him: old boxing fans who know him as Iron Mike Tyson, and a new generation sports fans who have learned everything they know about boxing from social media star and champ, Paul.
Paul, a social media star (and nuisance), has gained an immense following by doing pranks and other stupid things on YouTube and Vine (RIP). His foray into boxing has arguably reignited some excitement around the sport.
In Tyson’s heyday, he was that excitement—with a personal and professional life that constantly made headlines.
Although some may argue that Paul is just a YouTuber, he has taken boxing seriously, holding a career record of 9-1. Just last week, he knocked out Ryan Bourland in the first round, and in December he knocked out Andre August (also in the first round). To put it lightly, the social media star has made boxing relevant again to a new generation and fan demographic who previously did not care about it at all.
And now Tyson, a relic of the past, has a big opportunity to be a bridge between the two eras and show everyone once again why he deserves some respect on his name.
People of a certain age remember how Tyson embarrassed Michael Spinks in the first round of their June 1988 bout in mere minutes. But to a younger generation, Tyson is the guy from “The Hangover.”
Which is what makes this fight so interesting: Who would’ve imagined that the former heavyweight champion of the world would be fighting a YouTuber? And of all of them, Jake Paul?
It’s even more insane to think that many of the people who will be watching will be young white teenagers who likely never cared about boxing before Paul got involved in the sport.
Which is why this is unlike any stage Tyson will be on. He’s being reintroduced (as a boxer) to a new audience. Which could prove to be a smart business decision that makes him the most relevant he’s been since his glory days as a boxer. Or it could lead to an embarrassment that will cause people to question why Tyson is fighting a social media star who is 30 years younger than him in the first place.
Either way, it’ll be a spectacle for boxing.