Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Epic Showdown or Shameless Cash Grab?
Unless another unexpected twist arises, the eagerly anticipated boxing showdown between “Iron” Mike Tyson and Jake “the problem child” Paul is set to take place at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, on Nov. 15th. In theory, this matchup promises to be a legendary merging between two generations of fighters with distinct paths to fame. One, the ambitious up-and-comer; the other, the seasoned veteran reaffirming his prowess. However, it seems to be yet another blatant cash grab, a publicity stunt aimed at boosting engagement and grabbing whatever revenue they can lay their hands on. The first red flag was made apparent on the final day of May when the fight was rescheduled due to Tyson’s ulcer flare-up that prevented him from training at high volume. The main event, which has since been rescued with UFC fighter-turned-boxer Mike Perry agreeing to fight in place of Iron Mike, will be removed nearly four months from its originally scheduled date. If that doesn't already hint at potential red flags, comments from boxing luminaries, showmen, and results from similar captivating spectacles will do so.
Luminaries Sound Off
Since 2017, YouTubers, NBA players, and NFL stars have attempted to replicate the same box office success of Connor McGregor's foray into professional boxing to face the undefeated Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Dubbed "the fight of the century," it delivered as UFC and boxing fans witnessed a 10-round bloodbath that culminated in a Mayweather knockout of McGregor. Yet, attempts to emulate the same success of the landmark fight have often lacked authenticity, driven more by viewership, exposure, and financial gain. Mayweather seemed to concur, expressing this sentiment during an interview on the "It Is What It Is" podcast: “What he's doing is kind of cool,” Mayweather said. “If he can continue to steal money, and they match him the way they match him -- I can't knock his hustle.” Even showmanship luminary Hulk Hogan questioned the fight's legitimacy, wondering whether it was genuine or just a publicity stunt. “I love Mike to death, but I was in Miami for the Formula 1 races with Jake Paul. I pulled Jake aside and said, ‘Hey brother, what’s up with this thing?” Hogan said. “Is this a work like wrestling, or are you guys going to go at it? I’m glad it's rescheduled because I don’t want any excuses. I want both men at 100 percent.” Hogan would further tag this as the ‘fight of the century’ if it is pure but his comments project ambiguity, and for all the right reasons.
Controversial Let-Downs
Another prime example of sports theatrics was the 2021 exhibition match between WWE fighter and YouTuber Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather that ended in another controversial draw. Mayweather was reported to receive a guaranteed $10 million and 50% of the pay-per-view revenue, while Paul settled for $250,000 and 10% of the pay-per-view earnings, according to a cited source. Although the precise payout figures and additional income from sponsorships and other revenue streams remain unknown, it's safe to say both fighters were laughing their way to the bank, courtesy of your $59.99. Perhaps the most contentious moment from the bout occurred when Mayweather landed a counter right on Paul, promptly pulling him back up to prevent a knockdown or potential knockout. This led many to speculate whether the true intentions of the fight were “bragging rights” or a financial ploy.
Tyson directed a similar movie that featured preying on the nostalgia of the twilight of the boxing 'golden era' as a means to engage audiences with enticing headlines. Two decades past their prime, Roy Jones Jr. and Tyson attempted to rewind the clock to that celebrated era in an exhibition showdown on Nov. 28th, 2020. Both fighters were each advanced one million according to documents from the California State Athletic Association, with the promise of additional compensation—Tyson slated $7.5 million and Jones $2.25 million. Jones shielded himself from nearly all of Tyson's 193 punches, retaliating with 67 attempts and landing just 37. Jones’s physique didn’t hint that he pursued a rigorous training and dieting regime and his in-ring strategy reaffirmed any second doubt. His performance was lackluster, uninspired, and a significant letdown for true boxing enthusiasts who had hoped to witness a rekindling of their former glory. The anticlimax peaked when the fight was controversially declared a split draw, despite Tyson dominating Jones for all eight rounds. These are just two prime examples, with athletes like Nate Robinson, Ben Askren, Le’Veon Bell, and Adrian Peterson attempting to cash in on the trend, with the reasoning ‘If others out of their usual positions can do it, why not us’?
