Explainers

THE highly-anticipated crossover fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is set to capture the attention of the sports world – and takes place THIS WEEKEND.The 58-year-old boxing icon will take on the YouTuber, who is 31 years younger than him, in a professional heavyweight bout live on Netflix on November 15.Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are set to meet in the ring THIS WEEKENDWho are the boxing presenters and commentators for the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight on Netflix?The eight-round heavyweight showdown is scheduled for Friday, November 15, at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The undercard kicks off at 8pm ET / 1am UK, featuring six thrilling match-ups, including a mouth-watering rematch between Ireland’s Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.Here’s what we know about the presenters and commentators taking part on the big night.Counting down to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson…READ MORE on all the build-up to the massive clash in Texas on Netflix…Kate AbdoKate Abdo is married to former fighter and coach Malik ScottKate Abdo will be fronting the broadcast team for the blockbuster boxing bout on Netflix.Read More on Paul vs TysonShe is a prominent British sports journalist and television presenter, best known for her work with CBS Sports in the US.Since 2020, Abdo has been the face of CBS Sports’ Uefa Champions League Today show, sharing the screen with football legends including Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher.In September 2024, the news broke that Ado had married retired boxer and now trainer Malik Scott.The former Sky Sports presenter has hosted several major boxing events for Fox, Showtime and DAZN.Most read in BoxingRoy Jones JrRoy Jones Jr was Mike Tyson’s last opponent in 2020Credit: APThe ringside play-by-play commentary will be supported by boxing icon Roy Jones Jr.He was the last man to share the ring with Tyson in their 2020 exhibition, which was drawn over eight rounds.Jake Paul makes training decision for Mike Tyson fight after dramatically losing TWO STONE for last fightSpeaking about his fight with Iron Mike, Jones Jr told All The Smoke Fight: “When you get out there and look at Mike you have an understanding of who and what Mike is.“But you don’t realise that the little side-to-side movement that I never thought a lot of before, you really have a hard time hitting him with that.”So that was probably the most fascinating thing to me, the fact that he can still dodge punches the way that he could.“I feel like I’ve got some of the fastest hands in boxing, I’m thinking ‘no way in the world he can dodge my punches’. But he was, he was able to dodge them and I was surprised.“The first time he hit me in the chest it was like a mule had kicked me in the chest, at 57 years old! I said ‘oh my goodness, you ain’t going to hit me no more’.”If Mike is in shape enough to go the rounds he probably can put Jake out at any timeRoy Jones JrAll The Smoke FightJones continued: “If Mike is in shape enough to go the rounds he probably can put Jake out at any time.“But of course at 58 or 59, however old he is, his timing ain’t the same, so it’s quicker for him to get it over with fast rather than wait a long time.“If Jake gets in and gets his rhythm then he can get the momentum and be problematic for Mike down the line.”But if Mike goes out there and says ‘you know what I’m just going to go balls to the wall to get it over with’, then that’s the best thing he can do.“If you let Jake get comfortable, he’s going to become dangerous… If Mike is telling the truth [about his training], it’s going to be tough for Jake. But we don’t know if Mike is telling the truth.”Andre WardAndre Ward is hosting alongside Kate AbdoCredit: GettyAndre Ward will join Kate Abdo in leading the presenting duties for Paul vs Tyson on Netflix.The undefeated retired boxer reigned as champion at both super middleweight and light heavyweight.He won an Olympic gold medal at Athens 2004, before turning professional later that year.Ward told YouTube channel Fight Hub TV: “That’s a spectacle. I’m gonna watch it. I don’t know — I see people on both sides. ‘Mike shouldn’t be in there’ and it’s like maybe not, but if there’s a 58-year-old that I’m not too concerned about it’s probably Mike Tyson.”It is risky. I had a writer text me another day telling me how risky it was and I’m like well Mike’s life is risky. He’s been risky from since he been a kid until now. Boxing is risky.”How you gonna tell a man who’s hard-wired like Mike Tyson that he shouldn’t get a fight like that? It’s gonna produce tens of millions of dollars … You can’t tell him he ain’t got a shot in that fight.”I don’t really know where I stand on it. I’m gonna watch it. Jake and his team are very strategic. They’re picking the right names and they get bigger and bigger.”I don’t really have a hard take on it, I’m gonna watch it for better or for worse.”Ariel HelwaniAriel Helwani is a sports journalist who will be reporting from ringsideCredit: GettyAriel Helwani will be reporting from ringside during the hotly anticipated fight.He one of the most respected and decorated MMA journalists — he has won MMA Journalist of the Year multiple times.In June 2021, Helwani announced he was leaving ESPN, where he had been covering MMA since 2018.He is also known for his podcast, The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, which can be found on YouTube, and presents MMA and WWE on TNT Sports in the UK.Helwani also has his own channel on the video sharing site, where he interviews sports stars on The Ariel Helwani Show.Amir TysonFormer boxing champion Lennox Lewis seen with Amir and Mike TysonAmir, 27, is one of Tyson’s five kids, and he will be joining the commentary team as he watches his father fight.None of Tyson’s sons have followed in his footsteps and become professional boxers.Amir has become a commentator, having been warned off the dangerous sport by his dad.In August, Amir slammed influencer Hailey ‘Hawk Tuah’ Welch after she attempted to sing the lyrics to Jay-Z’s iconic track, Empire State of Mind.He took to Instagram, saying: “This era of 15 minutes of intense fame to complete irrelevancy has gotten completely out of hand.”Amir went on to lament the fleeting nature of internet fame, calling out the rise of internet celebrities.However, he seemingly praised Tyson’s opponent, Jake.He vented: “Only people from the internet that have… gained actual celebrity status are the Paul brothers and maybe the Speed, Kai Cenat, and Adin Ross… My kids and grandkids won’t have a clue who these streamers are lol.”Kody Mommaerts‘Big Mo’ is a ring announcer on Sky SportsThe in-ring announcing will provided by Kody “Big Mo” Mommaerts.It will be his job to whip the crowd up into a frenzy and add to the spectacle of the event — something he’s a natural at.In what is traditionally an old man’s game, Mommaerts stands out for his youthful appearance.He said: “I saw a gap in the market. I saw this front-facing job being done by three or four people at the most part, a little bit older in demographic, and I saw this gap in the market.”I started branding myself. I used to wear sunglasses in the ring for a visual aesthetic.”I wanted to stand out and be a little bit different. I recognised I was 30, 40 years younger than other people doing it.”He has been described as “the world’s youngest ring announcer”.Big Mo, 29, took to social media to express his excitement about the prospect of announcing the fight.He wrote: “Four years ago I was announcing in front of 100 people, next week I announce the biggest fight in the world, at the biggest stadium, on the biggest platform.”Oh ya, and I’m just gettin started.”Rosie PerezRosie Perez is best known from movies including White Men Can’t JumpCredit: The Mega AgencyRosie Perez will serve alongside Roy Jones Jr as part of the ringside commentary team, bringing her unique perspective to the coverage of the bout.As well as working as a commentator, she is an accomplished actress, dancer and choreographer.Perez is best known for her roles in films such as Do the Right Thing (1989) and White Men Can’t Jump (1992).Mauro RanalloMauro Ranallo is providing play-by-play commentaryCredit: RexMauro Ranallo’s role on the big night will be providing play-by-play commentary at ringside with Roy Jones Jr and Rosie Perez.He is a well-known sports commentator, particularly recognised for his work in combat sports including WWE, boxing and MMA.Ranallo is famous for his energetic style and has been the lead announcer for numerous major events.Sean WheelockSean Wheelock is the rules and scoring expertCredit: RexCommentator Sean Wheelock will serve as the rules and scoring expert for the fight.He is a sports commentator and broadcaster with extensive experience in combat sports, particularly in mixed martial arts and boxing.Wheelock will be responsible for explaining the intricacies of boxing rules and scoring criteria, as well as any technical aspects of the fight that need clarifying for the audience.His expertise will be particularly valuable in helping viewers understand how the fight is being judged and scored.Sibley ScolesSibley Scoles has been presenting major sporting events for a whileSibley is no stranger to hosting major events having been the in-stadium presenter for the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl.She is also the host of Raiders: Talk of the Nation and in-game host for the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.Scoles, 36, served as a sideline reporter for the 2022 NBA G League Showcase on NBA TV and a reporter for the MMA organisation Lights Out Xtreme Fighting on Fubo TV.However, her background is in entertainment, having previously served as an on-air correspondent for Access Hollywood as well as co-host of Access Hollywood Weekend Edition.She also served as an on-air correspondent at E! News, covering Hollywood’s biggest red carpets and awards shows.Sibley was seen in August at a ceremony honouring Lenny Kravitz with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.Tyron WoodleyTyron Woodley is a former opponent of Jake Paul’sFormer UFC champion Tyron Woodley is on the commentary team.He’s also been part of the presenting team for fight week, the build-up and weigh-ins.He believes the fight between Paul and Tyson is actually quite close because of Tyson’s advanced age.The welterweight, who was knocked out by Jake Paul when they fought in August 2021, told TMZ: “It’s a very even fight, to be honest.“It’s even because of the age of Mike Tyson. I think it’s an even fight because of the age of Mike Tyson. He’s completely, obviously, out of his prime. “In his prime most of his fights were almost attempted murder, so literally Jake wouldn’t have stood a chance. “Nobody would even commission or sanction a fight between him and Mike Tyson.”Woodley defended his UFC Welterweight Championship title four times between 2016 and 2019.Wade PlemonsWade Plemons received support from Jake Paul when he came under fireCredit: InstagramWade Plemons has played a role in presenting the fight week shows, build-up and weigh-ins.He is also part of the commentary team for Paul vs Tyson and will be hosting a watch party from ringside.Plemons is a famous YouTuber and is regularly seen on DAZN’s broadcast interviewing fighters and talking about fights in general.He was also an all-around athlete who excelled in American football and became a noted receiver for Tennessee Tech University.Dasha KuretDasha Kuret is known in the wrestling worldDasha Kuret is the final part of the broadcasting team for the event.She has presented fight week shows, as well as weigh-ins and the fight’s build-up.The American fitness model is also a professional wrestler and ring announcer. She was known for her time as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer in WWE under the ring name Dasha Fuentes and All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Dasha Gonzalez. Dasha, 36, was surprisingly released from All Elite Wrestling in April 2024. Taking to Instagram, Kuret said that it’s important for her to see how far she’s come and that she won’t let this setback stop her from working hard. READ MORE SUN STORIESShe wrote: “Sometimes the world tries to break you, but just try to take a second to look back and see how far you’ve come!!! “I’m not perfect by any means, I make mistakes, but I just try to keep on learning and be the little engine that could!!! Chug, chug, chug along!!!” More