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On Monday, at the iconic Apollo Theater in New York, Jake Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) and Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) came face to face for the first time since the announcement of their upcoming fight.
The eight-round fight, which will consist of two-minute rounds, will occur on Saturday, July 20, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Adding to the excitement, the co-main event will feature a highly-anticipated rematch. Super lightweight world champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) will defend her undisputed title over ten rounds against featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs).
Here’s what Paul and Tyson had to say about their upcoming fight:
Jake Paul:
On how hard it was to get Mike Tyson: “Yeah no, he was game. I think he’s always wanted to do this. This has been a long time coming. We’ve been calling each other out for years and we finally got to make it happen on Netflix, the biggest platform in the world, and things just keep on getting bigger and better. The co-main event [Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano]… I mean this is quite literally history that we’re looking at right here. Mike wanted this. Mike wanted it to be a pro fight. He wants the war, and so I respect that. I respect him for taking this fight, for stepping up to try to put an end to me because that’s what all these fighters have been trying to do is end the YouTuber and if Mike can do that, then he’s a hero.”
On how the deal came together with Netflix: “Yeah, look, it is Most Valuable Promotions that have been changing the game since we came into the promotional business and we just continue to level up and do things differently and see gaps in the market that no one else has identified. We wanted to work with Netflix, they liked the idea and see the vision in what we’re building, what type of events we can put on. This is quite literally the biggest fight of the 21st century because of the fact that it’s Mike Tyson versus me, but also the fact that it’s in 700 million households on Netflix for free, for everyone who’s a subscriber to watch.”
On those who doubt him: “I’m going to show the world that I can outbox Mike Tyson, prove everyone wrong, and show that I will be the one doing the killing.”
On the importance of it being a pro fight: “After the contract was signed, we got a call from Mike’s team and they were like, ‘Hey, he wants it to be a pro fight for sure. He wants that. He wants to put it all on the line.’ I respect Mike for that and if he wanted it to be that, then let’s run it.”
On taking on Mike Tyson’s power: “I’m a natural born heavyweight. This is what I was born to do, to move up into this weight class. I’m going to show Mike who has more power because he’s underestimating me. I think everyone else is underestimating me and I believe that I hit harder. I know it’s going to be tough. I know I’m going to have to fight through adversity. I know I might even go to the canvas. I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not about the fear stopping me. It’s about going into it, even though I am scared. That’s what true bravery is.”
On whether he can take a hit from Mike Tyson: “Yeah, look, they call him Iron Mike Tyson, but I’m titanium Jake Paul.”
Mike Tyson:
On why he ultimately said yes to the fight: “It was a no-brainer. He was a new up and coming guy on the scene, and I like shaking the sports world to its core and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.”
On their age difference: “I’m beautiful. That’s all I can say.”(Crowd roars with laughter.)
On whether the goal is to end Paul: “Once he’s in that ring, he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will be.”
On the modified rules: “I wanted the shorter rounds because I wanted more action. If we only have two minutes, we’ll fight more.”
Photo: Amanda Westcott/Most Valuable Promotions