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The fight between boxing legend Mike Tyson and influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul dominated headlines in the first half of 2024. However, after being postponed due to "Iron Mike's" health problems, the hype among fans and media has dwindled, to the point that not even Peyton Manning himself has managed to reignite interest in the controversial bout.
The story began in March when Netflix and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions confirmed the fight against Tyson for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The announcement sent boxing fans and non-fans into a frenzy. The 30-year age difference between the two contenders was more than enough to spark discussion from every possible angle. The controversy reached its peak when Tyson announced that he had suffered complications from a stomach ulcer during a plane trip.
This forced the rescheduling of the fight, now set for November 15 at the same venue. With Tyson apparently recovered, the promotional events restarted, but they haven't attracted the same level of attention as a few months ago. Not even Peyton Manning's presence at one of the pre-fight events has managed to revive the public's interest.
The dying interest in Tyson vs. Paul
Just like in March, Iron Mike and Paul have tried to revive the controversy by exchanging barbs on social media, but the response has been lukewarm. In an attempt to draw attention, Most Valuable Promotions scheduled a press conference for August 18, featuring the NFL MVP as a special guest.
"Peyton 'The Sheriff' Manning will be a special guest during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Press Conference at Fanatics Fest on Sunday, August 18th! Don't miss it..." the promotion announced on its Twitter account. Despite the big announcement, the response from fans was brutal: "Nobody cares."
"Yeahhhh... if your opponent's highlights are from the 80's, you should just let it go," commented another Twitter user. "Wtf. Not only is Mike 60, but he's in unpredictable health. Jake should get no credit for this," added a second, while a third remarked, "Elderly abuse," and another hit them where it really hurts, saying, "Nobody's gonna pay for that stupidity."
Paul has been busy
While waiting for his controversial fight against Iron Mike, the Problem Child has kept busy. On July 20, replacing Tyson, Paul faced Mike Perry, a mixed martial arts fighter and King of Violence in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship promotion.
The fight was contested under boxing rules, and Paul won by technical knockout in the sixth of eight rounds.
The fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was once one of the most anticipated events of 2024. However, the age difference, Tyson's physical condition, his health issues, and the unexpected postponement have caused fans to lose interest, and regaining it will not be easy.