By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of 4 TV magazines. Author of TV Dot Com.
Netflix announced today that it will exclusively live stream a boxing match between YouTube star turned stunt pugilist Jake Paul against 57-year-old Mike Tyson. The match will take place on July 20, 2024 from AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
This will be the latest live sports event streamed exclusively by Netflix which did a celebrity golf tournament last year and an exhibition tennis match this month featuring Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. However, despite Tyson’s name recognition and one-time mastery of the sport, the quality of the contest is in doubt due to Iron Mike’s age and Paul’s limited experience as a boxer. (Paul is 9-1 in matches largely featuring non-boxers.)
However, Netflix sounds excited about the possibility of a huge rating thanks to Tyson’s place in the culture and boxing history. Tyson, a one-time heavyweight champion, retired in 2005 after compiling a 50-6 record with 44 knockouts.
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“Mike Tyson is one of the biggest icons in boxing history and Jake Paul is one of the biggest disruptors in boxing history,” Gabe Spitzer, Netflix’s vice president for nonfiction sports, said in a statement. “Saturday, July 20 will be pure drama in the ring in Texas. We are thrilled to partner with Most Valuable Promotions for this historic event and we can’t wait for these two to face off for fans all across the world on Netflix.”
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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
