Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have already entered the record books before the pair touch gloves n their highly-anticipated boxing match. The YouTuber-turned-boxer steps foot into the ring with ‘Iron Mike’ on Saturday in their rescheduled bout.
And ahead of the first bell, the fight is already the biggest gate outside of Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world, with more than 70,000 people in attendance at the AT&T Stadium in Texas with $17.8million (£14m) in revenue from ticket sales.
The fight has dominated conversation with many critics suggesting it is an unfair fight due to Paul being 31 years junior of his opponent. But the former heavyweight champion of the world hit the headlines when he smacked his opponent during the ceremonial weigh-ins.
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Paul had crawled up to Tyson, appearing to stand on his foot, before the veteran boxer launched a right hand at Saturday’s opponent. The fight will exceed sales from Canelo Alvarez’s fight against Billy Joe Saunders in 2021, which earned $9million in gate receipts.
The fight’s promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, has said the gate is higher than any non-Las Vegas UFC fight, other than Conor McGregor’s bout with Eddie Alvarez in New York City eight years ago.
Paul was in high spirits ahead of his biggest fight yet, tweeting: “Sssssshhhhhhhhhh #PaulTyson,” with the link to a CNBC report highlighting the record-breaking fight.
Speaking during Wednesday’s press conference, the 27-year-old said: “Numbers don’t lie. People want to see this and that’s an amazing accomplishment.
“This is a statement that we had the biggest live gate outside of Vegas in U.S. boxing history.”
Ahead of the fight, a counterfeit script detailing Friday night’s fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is circulating on social media. The leaked script suggests that Paul will land the knockout blow in round five, claiming: “He [Paul] delivers a sharp three-punch combo that forces Tyson back against the ropes. As Tyson attempts to dodge, Paul lands a powerful right hand perfectly timed, striking him squarely on the chin.
“Tyson’s legs give way and he falls to the canvas. The referee commences the count, but despite Tyson’s fighting spirit, he fails to beat the ten count.”
