YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is to fight one of the sport’s biggest stars Mike Tyson, it has been announced.
The heavyweight boxing contest between the two Americans will be shown live on Netflix later this year.
The bout in Texas is being called Paul‘s toughest test yet in the ring as he faces the former undisputed world champion.
‘Iron Mike’ Tyson, who will have turned 58 by the time the fight takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 20 July, retired from professional boxing in 2005.
He had 50 wins, including 44 knockouts, and just six losses.
So far in his short boxing career, 27-year-old Paul has won nine fights and lost just one – to Briton Tommy Fury in February last year.
Paul’s latest triumph was a first-round stoppage win over Ryan Bourland at the beginning of this month.
Paul said: “It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard.
“Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.”
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Paul added: “My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever – the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. This will be the fight of a lifetime.”
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‘I plan to finish him’
Since his retirement, Tyson has sought to stay in shape and back in November he fought Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition match, with the pair settling for a draw.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said.
“He’s 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 [Greatest Of All Time].
“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.”
