IT'S being billed as the most bizarre fight of the century.
In the red corner is the former world undisputed heavyweight champ "Iron" Mike Tyson, 57, who was using a walking stick in footage from 2022 unearthed this week.
Boxing champ ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson will fight internet star Jake Paul. The fight is expected to generate £234 million.
The ferocious former "Baddest Man On The Planet", who retired in 2005, has released his first clip of training footage, leading fans to fear he is in trouble.
In the blue corner will be internet star Jake Paul, 27, whose fighting career includes bouts with other YouTubers and MMA fighters.
He was beaten last year by boxer and former Love Islander Tommy Fury, younger brother of reigning WBC champion Tyson.
The fight is expected to generate £234 million but has been criticised by UFC president Dana White and fighter Conor McGregor.
The clash, which will be aired on Netflix in July, is being billed as a battle between boxing’s old guard and a new breed.
But the two boxers have more in common than you might think – as Grace Macaskill reveals.
Listen to an Overview of this Article
Sex Abuse Scandals
TYSON served three years in jail for the rape of Desiree Washington when she was 18.
The victim, who was Miss Black Rhode Island at the time, said he assaulted her in an Indiana hotel room in 1991.
An A&E doctor who examined her confirmed her injuries were consistent with being raped.
Tyson is a registered sex offender under federal law for life.
Jake Paul faced abuse allegations from two women in 2021, although no charges have been brought.
TikToker Justine Paradise, 30, released a 20-minute YouTube video claiming he forced her to perform oral sex in his bedroom in July 2019.
She alleged they danced and kissed consensually at first but then he got physical with her.
Paul denied the allegation on Twitter, calling it "manufactured" and denied he ever had a sexual relationship with Justine.
Actress and model Railey Lollie came forward shortly after Justine’s allegations.
She accused Paul of groping her without consent in 2017, according to the New York Times.
Comebacks
THERE will be a lot at stake for both men when they square up.
Ageing Tyson is attempting to show the world he still has what it takes to win, while Paul wants to come back from his defeat to Tommy Fury in February.
In 1986, age 20, Iron Mike became the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title — but his career spiraled out of control due to sex, drink, and drugs.
He hasn’t boxed since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr in November 2020, which ended in a draw, and his last professional bout was 15 years earlier when he was beaten by Kevin McBride.
When Paul took on Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia, it was one of the most anticipated-ever boxing contests between two novices.
Despite the former Love Island star being knocked down by the YouTuber in the eighth round, Tommy won on a split decision.
Paul later said: "Tommy didn’t win the fight — I lost it. I was not good, I was not on my A-game."
"I didn’t implement my game plan. My legs were weak going into the fight — but I don’t want to sit here and make excuses."
Love Lives
FROM fake weddings to a wife who cheated with Brad Pitt, the course of true love hasn’t run smooth for either man.
Iron Mike has been married three times, while Paul has staged two marriage ceremonies for his 60 million-plus social media followers.
Tyson’s first marriage, to actress Robin Givens in 1988, lasted just a year.
According to the heavyweight boxer, they quickly tied the knot when Givens told him she was pregnant.
He gave her and her mum £3 million to buy a New Jersey estate and put £6.5 million in her bank account.
But Tyson claims Robin told him she had miscarried shortly after the money was exchanged.
They filed for divorce but carried on seeing each other — until he walked in on her having sex with Brad Pitt.
Tyson's second marriage was to paediatrician Monica Turner from 1997 to 2003.
Tyson is currently married to Lakiha Spicer.
Paul faked his first wedding to fellow internet star Erika Costell in June 2017, before the pair released a song together.
In 2019 Paul announced his engagement to YouTuber Tana Mongeau and they married a month later in Las Vegas.
Dodgy Pasts
TYSON has had his fair share of drama in the ring — and outside it.
In his 2013 autobiography, Undisputed Truth, he admitted he was high on drugs during some of his fights.
His lowest points came when he bit off part of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear during a bout in 1997 and being knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas in 1990.
Tyson blew his £401 million fortune on luxury cars, a sold gold bathtub, and pet Bengal tigers.
While Tyson can’t seem to leave his boxing career behind, Jake Paul has also been desperate for the limelight.
Paul — nicknamed "The Problem Child" — was filmed rapping the N-word to a song in 2018.
Two years later he was allegedly seen with vandals and looters during the Arizona protests against George Floyd’s death at the hands of a cop in Minnesota, although he insists he was only there to film.
The FBI raided his home in California in 2020 in relation to the incident but no charges were brought.
Paul, who is worth £31 million, claimed Covid was a "hoax" and threw a huge party during the pandemic.
His brother Logan was forced to deny accusations he scammed fans with his cryptocurrency game project Cryptozoo.
Jake also faced backlash after a video posted by Logan depicted the body of a man who had hanged himself in Japan’s Aokigahara "suicide" forest.
After advertisers wanted nothing to do with either brother due to the shocking footage, Jake revealed he thought about suicide.
He said: "My life was pretty much ruined. YouTube demonetised me, every brand dropped me."
