Jake Paul, the YouTuber turned boxer, has wagered his entire $40million (£31m) purse on the outcome of his upcoming fight with boxing legend Mike Tyson. The bout, which is set to take place in Dallas this Friday, will be Tyson’s first professional fight in nearly two decades.
Given he is 31 years younger than the former undisputed heavyweight champion, Paul is the bookmakers’ favourite to win. And during a face-off before the main event, Paul accepted bets from several undercard fighters, including Neeraj Goyat who staked his $1m house.
Katie Taylor, who is set for a rematch with Amanda Serrano, took it a step further. When Paul asked her how much she wanted to bet, Taylor responded: “Do you want to bet your purse? ” Without hesitation, Paul agreed, saying: “Yeah, let’s bet the purse. Deal,” and shook Taylor’s hand.
While many doubt the wagers will hold, Paul insists contracts will be drawn up before Friday night. Earlier this year, Paul bragged about his earnings from his 12th professional fight.
When asked if he brought Tyson in to add “validity” to his boxing career, Paul retorted: “I didn’t bring him to do s***; I’m here to make $40million and knock out a legend I don’t give a f*** about anything else, he’s the one who wanted it to be a pro fight and he’s going to get his ass knocked out for real.”
Paul is not holding back ahead of his bout with legendary Tyson, boasting to reporters: “You’re going to see on his record; Jake Paul KOs Mike Tyson; I’m not here to do s*** except make a bag. Every time fighters sit across from me and it’s ‘YouTuber this and Disney kid that’ and they end up on the canvas… this is going to be no different. I brought this deal to this old ass motherf***er, we signed the contract with Netflix and we brought him the deal. You’re welcome my son.”
Meanwhile, Tyson appeared clearly over the pre-fight charade during the final press conference, offering terse responses and showing visible irritation when probed about possibly losing to Paul. “I’ve said everything I had to say,” Tyson declared, quickly trying to dismiss further inquiry.
Not to be subdued, however, he asserted emphatically, “I am not going to lose,” When pressed again, his patience grew thin as he reiterated, “Did you hear what I said? ” In a biting comeback, Paul teased: “It’s cute. I fear no man, so I want him to be that old savage Mike.”
