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      Major broadcast change as Netflix look to snap up two huge sports after Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight 

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      NETFLIX could become the next big powerhouses of combat sports. The streaming giants – who have over 280MILLION paying subscribers – dip their toes into live sport for the first time next Friday. Jake Paul will headline Netflix’s first boxing eventCredit: SportsfileNetflix controversially host Mike Tyson’s boxing comeback against YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul. Talks with Paul spanned over a year and a deal was struck when heavyweight icon Tyson agreed to come out of retirement to fight.But SunSport understands this will not be Netflix’s only major play in sports streaming.The movie makers announced a stunning $5BILLION (£3.8bn) deal with the WWE to air events in the US and worldwide. READ MORE IN BOXINGAs of January, the WWE’s flagship show Monday Night Raw will be on Netflix.And by then, Netflix will have ALL of WWE’s programming exclusively platformed on their site in the UK, replacing TNT Sports as broadcaster.The WWE joined forces with the UFC this year as part of a merger with the TKO group worth $21bn (£16.2bn). It comes as the UFC’s five-year, $1.5bn (£1.1bn) TV contract with ESPN, is due to expire at the end of 2025.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSeveral bidders are already in talks with the UFC, with Netflix among them. It would mean Netflix attempting to get the UFC and WWE under one umbrella while more boxing events are also eyed. Fans get first look of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson training camp with Iron Mike ‘looking like he’s 25 again’Paul has also not ruled out working with Netflix again, having boxed on DAZN, Triller, Showtime and ESPN in the past. He was in negotiations with Netflix for several fights, including a rematch against Tommy Fury, 25, who he lost to in 2023. Paul, 27, has featured in Netflix’s Untold documentary series before and will split a huge $80m (£60m) purse with Tyson, 58.Iron Mike returns for his first professional bout since 2005.It will be officially sanctioned but over eight two-minute rounds – opposed to the usual three – fought in bigger 14oz gloves instead if 10oz. UFC boss Dana White and WWE legend Triple HCredit: Getty More

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      I hope Mike Tyson knocks out Jake Paul, losing will tarnish his legacy as an all-time great, ex-sparring partner fears

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      MIKE TYSON must knock out Jake Paul for the sake of his reputation. That is according to Joe Egan, who sparred the boxing great when they were both teenage amateurs. Mike Tyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: RexEgan spent two years training with Iron Mike before he became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged just 20 in 1986. But the Irishman fears that will be just one of the legendary feats to be tarnished if Tyson is beaten by YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on Friday. Egan told SunSport: “I think Paul is going to be confronted with that wrecking machine on the 15th, and I sort of say this in hope, I hope that Mike knocks him out.“Because, it’s going to diminish his achievements of the 91 seconds against Michael Spinks, three rounds with Trevor Berbick.READ MORE IN BOXING“It’s going to take away from all of that because Jake Paul isn’t the man to beat Mike Tyson at this stage of his life or at this age of his career, because he will tarnish his reputation as an all-time great.”Egan and Tyson remained good friends in the years after their sparring sessions in the Catskills in New York. And Egan was even at Tyson’s last professional bout – over 20 YEARS ago when he quit on his stool and threw the towel in on his career. Egan, who has launched new company Platinum Prizes, recalls: “I was at that fight in Washington DC, but it was a shell of a man. It was a shell of a man.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”And when Danny Williams beat him, it was the British heavyweight champion European heavyweight champion, no shame to lose to that man.“But it was still the shell of a man in Mike Tyson, right? McBride was a good heavyweight but Jake Paul is no McBride and he isn’t Danny Williams.”TYSON FEUD Mike Tyson discusses street fight with Mitch Green before Donald Trump saved his careerPaul, 27, has ten wins and only a single loss to Tommy Fury, 25, in his boxing record. And Egan – who retired himself at 13-3 while also representing Ireland as an amateur – respects the social media star. He said: “Jake Paul has got something that fighters are born with, and that’s courage. You can teach a person skills but you can’t teach them courage.“Now, if you haven’t got courage, you go and play other sports. You don’t play boxing.“You play basketball, you play golf, you play tennis, you play soccer, you don’t play boxing so he’s got quality that I admire. He’s got an admirable quality.“The fact that he wants to climb into the ring with the most powerful puncher of his era, 58 or 28 – doesn’t matter. Mike Tyson is still a wrecking machine.”Mike Tyson with former sparring partner Joe Egan More

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      Mike Tyson tells Jake Paul ‘I’ll feed it to my falcon’ after being presented with bizarre gift in pre-fight face-off

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      MIKE TYSON brutally dismissed Jake Paul’s shock gift during a sitdown face-off.The former undisputed heavyweight champion throws down with the YouTube sensation in a shock crossover clash early on Saturday morning.Mike Tyson throws down with Jake Paul early on Saturday morningCredit: GETTYThe pair recently took part in a sitdown face-offCredit: MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONSPaul stunned the boxing legend by gifting him a pigeon to add to his collectionCredit: MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONSTyson stunned the interviewer by claiming he’d feed the pigeon to his falconCredit: MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONSSocial media sensation Paul, 27, has been respectful to the boxing legend in the build-up to their Texas tussle, although he’s repeatedly vowed to knock him unconscious.And his respect for Iron Mike led him to buy him a feathery gift – which came in the form of a pigeon.During a sit-down face-off interview, Paul had someone bring through the bird and said: “I got you a gift, Mike.”Very expensive but I wanted you to have this.”READ MORE ON PAUL VS TYSONTyson appreciated the gesture but wasn’t impressed by the bird, saying: “Thank you, Jake.”This looks like a low-budget peregrine.”Paul replied: “We paid thousands of dollars for that.””No one loves him,” Tyson said of Paul’s pigeon present. “He has no bands or anything so he doesn’t belong to nobody.”Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTFormer Disney star Paul then definitely said: “Well, he belongs to you now.”After placing the pigeon back in its cage, Tyson, who has loved the birds since childhood, said: “I’ll feed it to my falcon.”‘Is it fixed?’ Mike Tyson’s ex-trainer has serious questions about the Jake Paul fightA gobsmacked Paul then asked: “Are you really gonna feed him to your falcon?””Yeah,” Tyson responded. “I can’t take him with me. There is no way I can take him.”Rather than let Tyson feed the gift to his falcon, Paul took back his gift by promptly lifting up the cage at the end of the sitdown.Tyson’s Dallas dust-up with Paul will be his first professional outing in nearly TWO DECADES. More

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      Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn heading back to court to settle their $100m defamation lawsuit after years-long stand-off

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      JAKE Paul and Eddie Hearn are working to settle their $100 million lawsuit with a new hearing scheduled for next month – after the YouTuber’s big fight with Mike Tyson. British promoter Hearn and Matchroom Boxing first filed a lawsuit in a New York court against Paul in September 2022.Jake Paul looks on during their cruiserweight fight against Mike Perry at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FloridaCredit: GettyBritish boxing promoter Eddie Hearn speaks during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in MayCredit: EPAMike Tyson and Jake Paul face off during a news conference, ahead of their big fightCredit: ReutersThe legal complaint came after Paul criticized boxing judge Glenn Feldman in an interview with iFL TV, regarding the scoring of two prior matches.They included an April 2022 bout between Katie Taylor andAmanda Serrano in New York; and an August 2022 bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.Feldman scored in favor of boxers Joshua and Taylor.”Clearly [Glenn Feldman] is getting paid money by Matchroom Boxing,” Paul said. “It’s just so blatantly obvious and they’re not even trying to hide it.”Eddie Hearn is the chairman of Matchroom Sport, a company founded by his father, Barry.Hearn slammed his comments as “outrageously false” and later filed suit, seeking $100 million in damages.Paul attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed but was unsuccessful, and then counter-sued, with his legal team invoking New York’s Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws. They argued that Hearn’s lawsuit was an attempt to intimidate and silence him.Most read in BoxingCOMING TO AN END?Now, new court documents seen by The U.S. Sun show the long-running court battle could soon be over. A settlement conference has been scheduled before Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo on December 17, 2024 at 12 pm.The filing states, “The conference will be held virtuallyvia Microsoft Teams and will not be open to the public.Countdown Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson”The parties should exchange their initial settlement demands and responses in advance of their Ex Parte Settlement Letter submissions. “The parties – not just the attorneys – must attend the settlement conference.”A joint letter filed with the court shows all parties are available on December 17 for the “virtual mediation conference.”Hearn and Matchroom Boxing previously filed a letter trying to get Paul’s countersuit dismissed. A filing alleges: “New York’s anti-SLAPP law does not apply because Plaintiffs’ defamation claim has a substantial basis in fact and law.”Paul’s counsel responded with a letter dated November 7, which reads, “After Matchroom Boxing complained to Jake Paul about his statements, and to appease Matchroom Boxing, Jake Paul promptly arranged for the interview to be removed from public view.”Nonetheless, Matchroom Boxing and Hearn then commenced this action (and Feldman later intervened as a co-plaintiff) against Jake Paul alleging that they were defamed by his statements.”The letter goes on to claim, “The lawsuit was filed as an intimidation tactic to chill Jake Paul’s freedom of speech and to silence other critics of the boxing industry, which is precisely the type of misconduct that the anti-SLAPP statute is intended to deter and remedy. “Upon information and belief, Plaintiffs coordinated various mediaoutlets to immediately broadcast, worldwide, that Plaintiffs had commenced this action, as a warning to journalists and anyone else who may want to expose and discuss corruption in the boxing industry.”Hearn’s team is yet to reply or comment on the letter ahead of the settlement conference. Meanwhile, Paul has a lot to prove on November 15, when he takes on boxing legend Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.The fight is a huge moneymaker, with Netflix streaming it live. Hearn himself is one of the many critics who slammed the idea of Paul going up against Tyson, calling the match “dangerous, irresponsible, and disrespectful to boxing.”In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, he said he didn’t believe the match was anything more than greed, despite Paul and Tyson saying it’s not just about the money. Tyson is 58 and retired 20 years ago, while Paul is 31 years his junior. Hearn said, “I’m not saying abandon the fight. I am just saying, not for me mate. I don’t wanna watch it.”The heavyweight boxer goes into the bout with 50 wins under his belt, as opposed to his much-younger opponent’s 10.Tyson, who was once reportedly worth an estimated $300 million, blew through most of his fortune and is now said to have a net worth of around $10 million. He is expected to pocket a staggering $40 million from the fight, with Paul making the same amount. The internet sensation, who is worth around $80 million, released a cheeky video offering the champ an extra $5 million if he lasts longer than four rounds.READ MORE SUN STORIESTyson responded to the offer saying, “He should offer more. Tell him probably about 20 (million).”However, if he fails to get past the fourth round, the caveat is that he must get a tattoo that reads ‘I love Jake Paul’.Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight poster ahead of it being streamed on NetflixPromoter Eddie Hearn during the press conference after Daniel Dubois won his fight against Anthony JoshuaCredit: ReutersJake Paul stands in the ring during the fifth round of his fight against Nate DiazCredit: Getty More

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      Mike Tyson’s training camp for Jake Paul fight shrouded in secrecy with sparring partners forced to sign NDAs

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      SECRECY surrounds Mike Tyson’s training camp to fight Jake Paul. The 58-year-old heavyweight icon comes out of retirement to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on Friday in Texas. Mike Tyson in training to fight Jake PaulCredit: @miketysonSparring partner Mike Russell with TysonCredit: Instagram Jett Blackwell, with Tyson in 2020, is back in his campIt comes four years after his exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, which was drawn over eight rounds.And Tyson is calling upon the same group of sparring partners to help get him in shape for his first professional fight in 20 YEARS.But the team of training partners are being sworn to secrecy.SunSport understands they have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements to ensure Tyson’s preparation are kept behind closed doors.READ MORE IN BOXINGTyson’s sparring partners join him in his personal Las Vegas gym and we can reveal two are heavyweights, Mike Russell and Jett Blackwell.Russell, 32, is 6-1 and recently helped ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 39, in training to fight Paul last year. But Diaz was beaten on points over ten rounds and knocked down. Blackwell, 23, was only a 19-year-old amateur when he sparred Tyson for the Jones exhibition. Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe now has three wins and one draw following an extensive amateur background. Paul, 27, has been training for the bout in his adopted home of Puerto Rico where he lives in a £13m mansion and has his own £3.2m gym. ‘Can you imagine Jake Paul’s face,’ says Mike Tyson trainer as he breaks boxing pad with brutal power in training video The social media sensation has been sparring with 9-1 heavyweight Dacarree Scott, 26, throughout the year.Timothy Moten, 32, who has 11 wins and one draw on his record is the latest addition to Paul’s camp. Moten was notably recruited by Anthony Joshua, 35, before the former heavyweight champion beat Andy Ruiz Jr, 35, in their 2019 rematch. DeAndre Savage, 36, was also sparring Paul and a clip of the 6-0 American getting dropped with a right hand was released.Savage – who has won all his fights by KO – admitted to being floored by Paul but had nothing but praise for the 10-1 cruiserweight. He told SunSport: “From the outside looking in and listening to everyone else the world is not taking Jake serious. “But Jake does work hard and he’s still a little green, so I understand the route that he’s taking. “You know, fighting the UFC fighters and stuff like that and people that don’t really know how to box because he’s still green.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But, Jake sells out the arena, sells the tickets, he’s doing big things that some people wish that they can do, things that people wish they can do and they can’t do it.”But yeah, Jake worked real hard, work real hard. He got some great moves in the ring.” DeAndre Savage sparring Jake PaulCredit: @road_to_riches_savTimothy Moten with Jake PaulCredit: @_mayhemmotenJake Paul with sparring partner DaCarree ScottCredit: @__mactruck__ More

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      Mike Tyson facing late investigation after health admission and saying he wants to ‘die in the ring’ in Jake Paul fight

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      MIKE TYSON is set to be investigated after revealing the full extent of his recent harrowing health scare.The boxing legend thought his days were numbered in May when a two-and-a-half-inch-deep stomach ulcer left him vomiting blood as it wreaked havoc on his insides.Mike Tyson throws down with YouTube sensation Jake Paul early on Saturday morningCredit: GETTYIron Mike looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his ring returnCredit: INSTAGRAM@MIKETYSONTyson is fighting a mere six months after having a major health scareCredit: AFPHis admission that he feared for his life will result in a late investigation from the Texas Department of Licensing and RegulationCredit: GETTYThe ulcer flare-up and subsequent hospitalisation forced the 58-year-old to postpone his controversial July clash with YouTube sensation Jake Paul and made him face up to his mortality.Tyson recently revealed doctors didn’t rule out the prospect of him dying from the chronic illness.And the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, who are sanctioning his showdown with Paul early on Saturday morning, are set to investigate his comments.In a statement to World Boxing News, TLDR representative Tela Mange said: “Thorough pre-fight physicals will be conducted by TDLR-appointed physicians, who will discuss Mr Tyson’s medical history with him.”READ MORE ON TYSON VS PAULTyson couldn’t think about anything other than dying a gladiator’s death in the ring when he was going toe-to-toe with his bleeding ulcer.The former undisputed heavyweight champion recalled: “I asked the doctor if I was going to die, and she didn’t say no.”She said we have options though, and that’s when I got nervous.“[I thought], ‘I can’t wait to get out of this motherf****r, man. God, I want to fight and start training.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT”‘I don’t want to die in the hospital bedroom, I want to die in the ring.”Fan favourite Tyson looks to be in incredible shape for his rescheduled Texas tussle with ‘Problem Child’ Paul.But he had to rebuild himself from scratch after his debilitating ulcer saw him lose nearly TWO STONE.“You wouldn’t believe what I endured from my ulcer, ” he said. “I lost 26 pounds, can you imagine that?”I was so p****d off because I had peaked. I was good, talking s**t, ready. “Mike Tyson’s blunt 10-word response to Eddie Hearn after promoter calls Jake Paul fight ‘disrespectful to boxing’ Tyson will pocket a pretty penny for his Dallas dust-up with social media sensation Paul, who has claimed he’ll leave Cowboys Stadium a whopping £31million richer.But ‘Iron Mike’ insists it’s the addictive feeling of having his hand raised that’s lured him back to the ring, not his mammoth payday.He admitted: “I’m a glory junkie. I love people thinking about me all day.”I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.“This is all I started fighting for—to get all this f***ing status.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that.”I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.” More

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      Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson: When will a replay be available on Netflix?

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      IT’S the timeless battle of age versus youth — inexperienced YouTuber Jake Paul is taking on veteran former undisputed heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.The fight on November 15, 2024 will be streamed on Netflix — here we take a look at when a replay will become available.Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul will be streamed live on Netflix this weekCredit: GettyMike Tyson pushed Jake Paul when they faced offCredit: AFPWhen a replay be available on NetflixThe highly-anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas has generated significant buzz in the boxing world.As of November 11, 2024, Netflix has not officially announced when a replay of the fight will be available.However, after the last live streaming sports event on the platform – the hot dog eating contest between Joey Chestnut vs Kobayashi – a replay was available almost immediately.It is assumed the same will apply to this fight, with a replay available shortly after the live broadcast concludes.more on jake paul v mike TysonNetflix may also choose to keep the replay available for an extended period, allowing subscribers to watch it on-demand at their convenience.This approach differs from traditional pay-per-view events, where replay availability is often limited to increase sales.Counting down to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson…READ MORE on all the build-up to the massive clash in Texas on Netflix…How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson liveThe main card of Paul vs Tyson will stream live exclusively on Netflix, starting in the UK on Saturday, November 16 at 1am BST (8pm ET on Friday, November 15 for American viewers).Netflix subscribers will be able to watch the fight as part of their regular subscription – there will NOT be an extra pay-per-view cost.Most read in BoxingTo watch the fight live, you’ll need to:Have an active Netflix subscriptionLog in to your Netflix account on the day of the fightNavigate to the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson event pageTune in when the show kicks off to catch all the actionUndercard in fullThe Paul vs Tyson event features an impressive undercard with several notable fights:Mike Tyson sends chilling warning that Jake Paul ‘has to go’ as he claims ‘I started his career, now I’ll finish him’ Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano: A 10-round bout for Taylor’s undisputed women’s junior welterweight championshipMario Barrios vs Abel Ramos: A 12-round fight for Barrios’ WBC welterweight titleNeeraj Goyat vs Whindersson Nunes: A 6-round middleweight boutShadasia Green vs Melinda Watpool: A 10-round bout for the vacant WBO women’s super middleweight titleBruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs Dana Coolwell: An 8-round featherweight contestLucas Bahdi vs Corey Marksman: A 10-round lightweight fightThis stacked undercard ensures that viewers will be treated to a full evening of high-quality boxing action. More

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      How Mike Tyson & Jake Paul’s $80m clash became ‘boxing’s biggest freak show’ with lie detector gaffes and $2m VIP seats

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      AS the dust settles on the US election, America is bracing itself for another epic and unpredictable showdown.And once again, it pits a controversial, motor-mouthed veteran against a far younger contender many predict is not cut out for the job.Boxing legend Mike Tyson famously won 44 of his 58 fights by knockoutsCredit: GettyIron Mike is set to take on 27-year-old YouTuber Jake PaulCredit: GettyCritics have dubbed Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s boxing match the biggest freak show in boxing historyCredit: GettyMore than 60,000 fans will pile into Texas’s AT&T arena on Saturday to watch the spectacle of former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson, 58, take on 27-year-old YouTuber Jake Paul in what critics have dubbed the biggest freak show in boxing history.VIP ringside seats are being sold for a record £1.55million — and millions more will tune into the event which, in a groundbreaking move, is being streamed live on Netflix.But it remains to be seen whether Paul can solve the conundrum that has seen fighters with twice his class pummelled to the canvas by the self-styled Baddest Man On The Planet.In Tyson’s famous words: “Everyone has a plan ’til they get punched in the mouth.”READ MORE ON MIKE TYSONThe stats behind Mike Tyson vs Jake PaulUntil his retirement in 2005, the human pitbull famously won 44 of his 58 fights by knockouts.Yet even Tyson — whose training regime includes microdosing magic mushrooms and smoking weed — can’t win against Old Father Time.The three-decade age gap between the men is the largest in professional boxing history.Gutsy Paul, rated a decent if inexperienced pugilist, may use his youth to give the ex-champ the runaround before delivering a knockout blow.Most read in BoxingSo is this simply a circus act or a legitimate contest in the spirit of the Marquess of Queensberry?What’s certain is that it will be box office gold.Jake Paul had vision of himself fighting Mike Tyson while high on psychedelics three years agoRather than the usual pay per view, the fighters have signed a deal said to be around £31million each for Saturday’s early hours bout.It is already predicted to be one of the most-viewed boxing matches of all time, and media analysts suggest it could usher in a new dawn for how live sports are consumed, with further plans to broadcast NFL and WWE events on Netflix.Tyson is characteristically bullish ahead of the fight in Arlington, Texas.Before Paul had his most recent and 11th fight, Iron Mike insisted: “Regardless of how old I am, this guy only has ten fights.“If I can fight ten per cent of what I was, he only has ten fights, he couldn’t match that.”‘Weak and flawed person’Not everyone shares his optimism. Boxing great and promoter Barry McGuigan told a newspaper he fears Tyson will tarnish his legacy if he is remembered for “that sham of a fight with that YouTuber”.The former featherweight, who will appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, added: “A 58-year-old man shouldn’t be fighting. He just shouldn’t.“At that age your punch resistance invariably disappears. And while we see all these clips of Tyson doing the pads, that’s not real. What’s real is sparring against good-quality opposition and seeing how you look then.”The younger man’s route to the Texas ring was as a celebrity You- Tuber whose maiden fight was a so-called white-collar boxing contest for office workers.He has won ten of his 11 professional bouts with seven knockouts.Nicknamed The Problem Child, Paul’s only loss was to Tommy Fury — but it was a split decision and he knocked the Love Island star down in the eighth round.Love Island’s Tommy Fury on the way to beating Jake Paul in Riyadh last yearCredit: GettyJake Paul’s skater girlfriend Jutta LeerdamCredit: Instagram / @uttaleerdamIt is a record that lends him legitimacy, though his opponents included a YouTuber, a retired basketball star and four Mixed Martial Arts fighters.The opponents were well-picked — seven were 35 or older — and purses huge. Paul has earned tens of millions from his fights including almost £24million from the bout with Fury.Yet Tyson has fought genuine ring legends including Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno.In August at a press conference with Iron Mike, Paul bragged: “I’m here to make 40million dollars and knock out a legend.“I don’t give a f* about anything else. And he’s the one that wanted it to be a pro fight. “So he’s gonna get his ass knocked out for real on a real record.”One glamorous figure in Paul’s corner is his Dutch girlfriend Jutta Leerdam, an Olympic speed skating silver medallist who admits to more anxiety over the clash.She told the Netflix documentary Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson: “I’m a little scared. “I think, ‘Hey, stay away from my boyfriend.’ But it’s also the sport, so I understand that.”And when hooked up to a lie detector machine on the endless social media promo trail, Paul’s trash talk bluster disappeared. Asked if he would beat the former undisputed champion, he answered: “Yeah.”Mike Tyson famously chewing Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997Credit: SkyMike Tyson being led away by cops after rape arrest in 1991Credit: RexBut the lie detector begged to differ, suggesting Paul’s cocky facade hid his real belief that he would lose.When a clip of the test went viral, Tyson shared it with his 30million Instagram followers with three laughing emojis emblazoned on it.The pair were originally scheduled to meet on July 20 but Tyson was taken ill two months earlier in an plane toilet after an ulcer flare-up.On the plane, I went to the bathroom, and I threw up blood,” he revealed. “Next thing I know I’m on the floor and I was defecating tar.” In his Eighties prime, Tyson was the most destructive heavyweight of his generation.Menacing in black trunks, black ankle-high boots and no socks, he would pace the ring before the first bell like a caged lion.Psyching out many before a punch was thrown, he won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round.In 1992 he was convicted of raping 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington and received a six-year prison sentence, serving less than half that time.I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity.Mike TysonOn his release, he fought two losing fights against Evander Holyfield. In the second, Tyson sank his teeth into Holyfield’s ear, biting the fleshy top off before spitting it out on to the canvas.Teddy Atlas, his former trainer, called Tyson “a very weak and flawed person”.His penultimate contest — against Brit Danny Williams in 2004 — saw him unable to beat the count after being knocked down in a bloodied heap in the fourth round.In his last professional fight in 2005, he threw in the towel against Irishman Kevin McBride before the seventh round.Announcing his retirement afterwards, a downbeat Tyson insisted: “I’m not going to disrespect the sport any more by losing to this calibre of fighter.”A 2020 exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr was judged a draw. Tyson admitted he was high on marijuana during the fight, revealing afterwards: “I smoke every day.” He credits weed for helping him beat a destructive cocaine and booze habit.‘I’m a glutton for pain’Asked by US TV host Jimmy Kimmel recently if he intends to be “high on marijuana” during his bout with Paul, Tyson replied: “That’s a possibility.”Also a magic mushroom user, Tyson says he takes the psychedelics during his workouts “because I feel beautiful”.Now he has been lured back to his beloved ring partly, at least, for the adulation. “I’m a glory junkie,” the fighter with a Maori-inspired face tattoo admitted. “I love people thinking about me all day.“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity.“This is all I started fighting for — to get all this fing status.“I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that. “I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”The giant purse might help too, with punters paying through the roof to get close to the action.The arena’s most expensive ticket is a record $2million VIP package, which will seat two people less than six feet from the action in a private booth.If Mike lands one clean punch, and if he makes him miss, he will make him pay.Jeff FenechFurther perks include the chance to visit both fighters backstage before the fight, an open bar and gourmet all-inclusive food menu, plus a personal security escort to accompany guests across the venue.And even at 58, the allure of an Iron Mike knockout remains undimmed.Jeff Fenech, who trained Tyson to defeats against Williams and McBride, believes the fallen champ still has what it takes to dispatch upstart Paul.The cornerman said: “If Mike lands one clean punch, and if he makes him miss, he will make him pay. “If he doesn’t try and strike at the same time and is patient, the fight could be over in one minute.”Thankfully — perhaps for both fighters — the rounds will be two minutes long rather than the usual three for men’s bouts.Dad-of-seven Tyson explained: “I wanted the shorter rounds because I wanted more action. “If we only have two minutes, we’ll fight more.”And the fighters will wear 14oz gloves rather than the usual 10oz to lend greater protection.Neither man will wear headguards.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe prospect of a potentially stoned former heavy-hitting champ battling a rookie almost young enough to be his grandson may not warm the cockles of boxing purists.“People say it’s s*t,” Gypsy King Tyson Fury said. “But I bet they still watch it.” More