Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are set to throw down on Friday night with Netflix broadcasting one of the biggest boxing events of the year from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Paul and Tyson might not actually be at the top of the boxing world in terms of skill and importance in the current boxing landscape, but that's not going to stop the hype. The notoriety of both fighters and the fact that the fight is free on Netflix could drive viewership to historic heights.
The 58-year-old Tyson meeting the most famous influencer-turned-fighter in the game is bound to turn some heads. It's also sure to draw some action from bettors looking to get some stake in the big fight.
Here's a look at the latest odds and some interesting prop bets to watch as we get ready to see just what this wild matchup is going to look like.
Fight Odds, Props and Netflix Stream Info
When: Friday, November 15 at 8 p.m. ET (main event ringwalks appoximately 10 p.m. ET)
Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Live Stream: Netflix
Tickets: Vivid Seats
Odds: Paul -220 ($220 bet wins $100); Tyson +175 ($100 bet wins $175)
Prop Odds
Either fighter to be knocked down in Rounds 1-3: -165
Tyson to be knocked down two or more times: +150
Three or more knockdowns in the fight: +200
Fight to go the distance: Yes +140, No -195
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Bets to Make
Under 1.5 Knockdowns (-210)
Taking a look at some of the props and odds being offered there are some interesting patterns. For one, oddsmakers seem to believe that knockdowns are going to be a part of the fight.
It makes some sense. Tyson was once known for his fearsome power and arguably has the best highlight reel of knockouts. Paul has won each of his last three fights by knockout. It stands to reason that two fighters with that kind of power are going to score some knockdowns.
But throwing money at the knockdown props could be a trap. These aren't the most juicy odds, but Tyson was unable to drop a 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. when they fought in a 2020 exhibition.
Paul could wind up scoring a knockdown at some point in this fight. He put Anderson Silva on the ground with a right hand and he does have good power. However, it's hard envisioning the pace and intensity of this fight going much beyond a sparring session.
Fight to Go the Distance (+140)
This one might be a better wager given the value. Again, there's a conception here that both men are going to be swinging for the fences and looking to score a knockout.
That might be some wishful thinking from viewers and bettors alike.
While this is a sanctioned fight, it really doesn't feel like much more than a glorified sparring session. The two will be wearing 14-ounce gloves as opposed to the standard 10-ounce gloves. The rounds are only two minutes long instead of the traditional three and there are only eight of them.
Even at 58, Tyson appears to be in good enough shape to go eight, two-minute rounds. At the same time, the bigger gloves should protect Paul from taking any surprise shots from an opponent who is 31 years older than him.
This one is going to the scorecards.
Projected Winner: Jake Paul
In reality, the winner is Tyson and Paul's bank accounts. They haven't publicly revealed the fight purse, but it's safe to say they'll be well-compensated for the event.
That leads to the main question that is going to determine who wins the fight. It's not a remotely controversial statement to say that Tyson in his prime would mow down Paul. It's not even a stretch to say the 2005 version that lost to Kevin McBride would be a massive favorite over "The Problem Child".
That was nearly 20 years ago, though.
The reality is that those who think Tyson is going to turn back the clock and deliver a knockout performance seem to be forgetting Tyson's fight against Roy Jones Jr. just four years ago.
Tyson looked better than Jones on that day, but that wasn't saying much. Tyson was often lunging and swinging at air and Jones wasn't anything close to the athletic marvel he was during his prime.
Paul isn't going to be confused with a championship-level boxer. His bout with Tommy Fury revealed a fighter who isn't nearly ready to fight a serious fighter in his prime.
He is, however, capable of outpointing the shell of a legend in a fight that's only scheduled for 16 minutes of ring time.
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