On Friday, the eyes of the sports world will be on Netflix as Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face off in perhaps the most surreal boxing match of recent times.

Tyson, 58, returns to the ring for the first time since the 2020 showcase against Roy Jones Jr. to fight Paul, the famed boxer who has drawn attention for his lack of competitive fights.

Whether the fight is a sideshow or not is irrelevant, as “at least 60,000” fans are expected to pack AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Associated Press.

How much is at stake and which fighter is expected to win the highly publicized fight?

Date: Friday, November 15

Time: 20:00 EST (estimated check-in time is 23:00)

On the face of it, the idea of ​​Tyson beating a younger, faster opponent with the size and reach advantage that Paul has seems pretty ridiculous. Add to that the fact that he’s approaching 60 years old and hasn’t had a notable fight since 2005, and you’re left with a scenario in which Tyson seemingly has no realistic chance of prevailing.

However, Paul has never fought a boxer like Tyson.

This is a legitimate boxer with one of the most devastating punches in the history of the sport. He has a 50-6 record, with 44 of his wins coming by knockout. While it may be difficult for him to get close to Paul without risking defeat due to his five-inch reach difference, a single punch from the former heavyweight champion can knock out the actor and Youtuber-born boxer.

The fact that he takes the fight seriously, his competitive spirit evident in any interview or press conference he attends while promoting it, only lends credibility to the fact that he can do the unthinkable and defeat his much younger opponent.

This still isn’t a fight that will play to Tyson’s strengths.

If Paul can prolong the fight and use his speed to tire out his opponent, he can outlast him. The key will be to not let the moment get the best of him, so much so that he starts swinging and invites a Tyson haymaker to make short work of it.

While it’s hard to predict exactly what will happen when the bell rings and the brawl begins, expect a circus-like atmosphere filled with the glitz, ambiance and showmanship people expect on a Friday night on Netflix.

The odds are in Paul’s favor, but there’s something about former knockout artist Tyson that makes him an intriguing choice. Perhaps because he approached it with the same seriousness with which he did his most famous fights, despite the obvious spectacle that this was meant to be.

Prediction: Tyson via decision (and rematch) against the odds