1 week Ago
Texas , United States - 14 November 2024; Mike Tyson, left, and Jake Paul face off during weigh-ins, ...
[+] held at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, USA, ahead of their heavyweight bout, on November 15th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images) Things got physical at the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson faceoff.
A playful Paul drew an open-hand slap from the heavyweight icon and former champion as the two were supposed to engage in one final face-to-face before Friday’s fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Tyson unleashed the slap that immediately went viral, unlike any smack since Will Smith shocked Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars. After the slap and totally on brand, Paul took to social media with a reaction to the slap.
The first question that should be on your mind is whether this was staged. In my experience, which is 17 years covering combat sports and over 40 watching, I’m about 95% sure this was set up. It’s an old fight promotion trick, especially when the promoters and fighters are trying to drum up a last-minute push for fans to buy in.
Usually, that buy-in is literal, as the public needs to spend on a pay-per-view. In this case, the fight will be streamed for free on Netflix to all its subscribers. Paul knows as well as anyone that eyeballs equal revenue, and there are likely some specific metrics he has in mind when it comes to this polarizing crossover fight.
Democratic Colorado Governor Praises Trump’s RFK Jr. Selection—Breaking With Fellow Democrats NYT ‘Strands’ Today: Hints, Spangram And Answers For Friday, November 15th Dana White Teases Major UFC 310 Announcement: ‘It’s Gonna Be Good’ Based on the attention the slap and the pre-fight proceedings are drawing, the event could be the most-watched combat sports show in history. Paul said he would make $40 million for his efforts on Friday night.
Reports have speculated Tyson will earn $20 million. It would not be a shock if there were multipliers that the event could hit that would raise the total for both men. Meanwhile, the massive nature of the main event almost completely drowns out the co-main event and the rest of the card.
In the co-main event, Katie Taylor will rematch Amanda Serrano in the sequel to arguably the greatest women’s boxing match in history. In April 2022, Taylor edged Serrano by a split decision in a headline event at Madison Square Garden. The rematch will see Taylor put her undisputed super lightweight title on the line.
Serrano is looking to even the score and perhaps set up a trilogy fight that could potentially deliver generational wealth for both women. Also on the card, WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios will defend his title against Abel Ramos. Shadasia Green will face Melinda Watpool for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.
Here is a look at every fight on the card. Be on the lookout for post-event coverage, including worldwide reactions to the results..
