The much-anticipated return of Mike Tyson to the boxing ring to fight Jake Paul this summer has already created a buzz among fans. With the bout set to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and be streamed globally on Netflix, it is expected to be one of the most heavily bet on boxing matches of the year. Fans are eagerly lining up for tickets to witness the clash between the former heavyweight champion Tyson, who will be 58 years old at the time of the fight, and the 27-year-old social media influencer turned boxer Paul. The event, which will consist of 8 rounds lasting two minutes each, marks Tyson’s return to professional boxing after his last professional fight in 2005.
In addition to the highly anticipated main event, the fight card will also feature a match between lightweight world champion Katie Taylor and boxing trailblazer Amanda Serrano. The two fighters previously headlined the first-ever sold-out women’s boxing event at Madison Square Garden. Most Valuable Promotions, the company co-owned by Paul that is promoting the event, has reported a record number of sign-ups for presale access, with more than 121,000 fans expressing interest in attending the fight. The company has also announced a unique offer for the event – a $2 million VIP package that includes ringside seats, first-row floor seats, a photo opportunity in the pre-fight locker room with both Paul and Tyson, and luxury penthouse accommodations at the fighters’ hotel.
Nakisa Bidarian, the co-founder of MVP, described the event as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity that appeals to multiple generations. He expressed the company’s goal of bringing awareness and exposure back to boxing in a significant way. Bidarian emphasized the importance of making the sport relevant again, as it has not received widespread attention in recent years. In a bid to revitalize boxing, MVP is offering unprecedented VIP packages and creating a spectacle that caters to a diverse audience.
For fans unable to afford the luxurious VIP package, secondary market sites like Gametime have made tickets available at varying prices. Currently, the lowest-cost tickets are listed at $357 each, while ringside seats are selling for a whopping $8,067 per ticket. The availability of tickets on secondary marketplaces reflects the immense demand for the event and the willingness of fans to pay a premium to witness the historic fight in person.
Interest in the fight extends beyond ticket sales, with BetMGM already accepting bets on the bout. Despite Jake Paul being the current favorite according to the odds (-145), a significant portion of the bets are being placed on Mike Tyson. The fight is expected to attract a wide array of bettors, including Tyson supporters, Jake Paul detractors, and casual sports fans. Alex Rella, a senior trader at BetMGM, anticipates that this match will be the most bet on boxing event of the year, underscoring the widespread appeal of the fight.
While the financial terms of the fight and Netflix’s involvement have not been disclosed, it is expected that the streaming giant will make the bout available to all subscribers at no additional cost. As Netflix continues to expand its sports offerings, the Tyson-Paul match presents an opportunity to engage a broader audience. Both fighters are projected to earn substantial sums, with Bidarian stating that they could potentially make eight figures from the event. The overarching goal is for this fight to become the most-watched streaming event in U.S. sports history, further solidifying its significance in the realm of boxing entertainment.