Just around the corner from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, fight fans are making their disdain for Jake Paul abundantly clear as he prepares to enter the ring with 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
A large yellow cushion with Paul’s face on it has been hung outside one of the many sports bars surrounding the 80,000-seat venue where his fight with Tyson will take place on Friday evening. And on it comes the blunt command: “Punch Jake.”
Most passers-by fail to resist the opportunity to do so.
“F*** Jake Paul, right?” a woman laughs before putting down her bag and hitting the pillow while her friend takes a video. “It’s going to be a lot worse tomorrow, buddy!” she then tells him.
Some choose to mime a punch at the opinion-dividing Paul for photo opportunities. Others just laugh, take a picture and move on.
The controversial showdown between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is a must-watch for most Americans
Fans have expressed their frustration at Paul around the corner from the Texas venue
The common denominator, however, is a burning hatred for the YouTuber-turned-boxer, amid his plan to beat up one of their aging sporting heroes, who is 31 years his senior.
Despite all the controversy surrounding this freakish event, which left a sour taste in the mouths of many long before the opening bell had even sounded, the American public still seems to believe in it for two crucial reasons.
The first, as mentioned, is their sheer disgust for Paul. Whoever the opponent is, the majority of the country wants to see him flat on the canvas. He’s mastered the kind of polarizing personality that always puts bums in seats simply because of that dislike factor.
And the second is their unwavering love for Tyson. Their belief that, even at age 58, and even after withdrawing from an initial July 20 date for medical reasons, his infamous power will still prove the difference.
As crowds of ex-fighters and experts express fear for his safety, Texas residents are confident Iron Mike will turn back the years and get the job done tonight.
When asked why she is so confident in a Tyson victory, the woman who happily beat Paul answers: ‘Because he is Mike Tyson! He’s not the worst man on earth for nothing.’
Another undeniable selling point here is the nostalgia element for those who grew up watching Tyson at the height of his powers.
Their hatred of Paul is one of the main factors driving interest in Friday night’s game
But many believe that Tyson is really capable of overcoming the turmoil at the age of 58
Certainly, for many, the sight of him climbing the ropes again 19 months before his 60th birthday will not be a pretty sight. But there are also those who are fascinated to see the most iconic fighter of his time putting on the gloves again.
A man preparing to take his son to battle cannot contain his excitement. “I grew up watching Mike Tyson, so he’s an icon of my youth,” he says. “And just for my son to have the opportunity to see him fight and see him fight someone from his generation is amazing.”
When asked whether or not the fight should take place from an ethical point of view, the answer is clear: ‘Absolutely.’
Even his son can’t see past Tyson’s natural talent, despite the former undisputed heavyweight champion’s reign being ahead of its time.
“I think Jake Paul is a good boxer,” he adds. ‘But some people are just born with it naturally. I think Mike Tyson is definitely one of those people. Jake is good, but Tyson has it It.
“People will always remember Mike Tyson as the man who rose from the bottom and always came out on top, even in his old age. He will be remembered much better than Jake Paul.”
Relying on Tyson to defuse unrest is surprisingly common on the streets of Arlington. Some may reframe that as blind faith, but whether they want to admit it or not, there is an element of the unknown that makes this battle intriguing.
Iron Mike will look to roll back more than two decades since his last professional fight
A large number of Americans are convinced that his infamous power will still prove too much
What will happen if Mike lands a big right hand? Does he still possess the brutal power that so many feared? And if so, can Jake withstand it?
The bookmakers side with Paul, but not by the largest margins. At the time of writing, Tyson is a +168 underdog after 90 percent of bets on the fight in the United States were placed on him to win. Last week he was rated at +225.
Yet this week the focus is more heavily on Paul. One gambler in Michigan even bet $1 million on the 27-year-old to win.
BetMGM said earlier this week that Tyson vs. Paul is on track to go down as the most heavily bet boxing match in the sportsbook’s seven-year history.
Although according to ESPN7 of the 38 US states that have legalized sports betting have banned in-fight gambling.
Although it is professionally sanctioned, Tyson takes on Paul in eight two-minute rounds, as opposed to the regular three-minute versions. The pair will also wear 14oz gloves instead of the usual 10oz gloves worn by heavyweights.
New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado are expected to be among the states Friday evening not taking bets on Tyson vs Paul, with the New York State Gaming Commission saying it is ineligible for betting due to its “non-traditional rules.”
Colorado and Pennsylvania betting chiefs agreed with that sentiment, with the former not citing all fighters who were professionally ranked as another reason.
Sportsbooks are expecting a historic volume of betting on Friday night’s controversial fight
While ticket prices have dropped, thousands of people will be packed into AT&T Stadium to watch it
Either way, sportsbooks are preparing for a historic volume of betting in the 31 states that allow betting on Tyson’s astonishing return to the sport.
Ticket prices have dropped significantly since the fight was originally scheduled to take place in July, with the cheapest ticket costing just $67 earlier this week – almost $350 less than the cheapest ticket four months ago.
There’s no way the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium will be full by the time Tyson and Paul face off on Friday night. That was always going to be almost impossible.
Yet it still promises to draw a large crowd at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, as fans pour in to take in a piece of history. Thursday’s weigh-in alone drew thousands of people to Irving’s Toyota Music Factory, where Mike’s legion of supporters showered Paul with boos as he tipped the scales. And the Tyson punch that followed elicited a completely contrasting response.
Later this evening, those same Tyson hopefuls will head to the arena hoping to see their beloved fighting icon complete one of the greatest comeback stories of all time. Like it or not, America is intrigued by how it will develop.
As Paul and Tyson prepare for the fight, CELSIUS will take center stage during fight week in Texas, keeping fans locally energized.
Paul joined the CELSIUS athlete list in 2023. As a long-time fan of the energy drink, he has integrated CELSIUS energy drinks into his daily routine and has chosen it as his drink of choice before workouts and training sessions.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the CELSIUS family,” said Paul. “As a fighter and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, I want to push boundaries and bring the best to the sport. Whether it’s preparing for Fight Night or organizing groundbreaking events like this, CELSIUS ensures that I stay energized and perform at my best. It’s a game-changer, just like what we do at MVP.”