Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match odds: Paul remains slight favorite
What happens when you pit a man who won his first heavyweight title nine presidential terms ago against a young, social media influencer that is fresh in the boxing game?
You get the spectacle of the summer, which should provide plenty of chances for bettors to cash in.
Jake Paul confident he’ll "knock Mike Tyson’s teeth out" in upcoming match | Undisputed
In late winter, it was announced that Mike Tyson and Jake Paul would square off in a boxing match on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tyson, who holds the record as the youngest heavyweight champion in history, last fought in an eight-round exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
Iron Mike is one of the most feared fighters in history, with a professional record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts.
Paul, the internet phenom turned boxer, is coming off of two first-round knockouts of current professional boxers in Ryan Bourland and Andre August. Prior to that, Paul's previous opponents ran the gambit from retired UFC stars to a retired NBA player.
He holds a record of 9-1, with his lone loss coming against British reality TV star Tommy Fury, whose half-brother — and current WBC heavyweight champion — Tyson Fury, was actually named after Mike Tyson himself.
So, who should be favored in this duel between the "Problem Child" and last century's "Kid Dynamite"?
Let's dive into the odds, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
ODDS TO WIN BOXING MATCH: *
Jake Paul: -180 (bet $10 to win $15.56 total)
Mike Tyson: +135 (bet $10 to win $23.50 total)
* odds as of 5/2/2024
On April 29, the fight was officially sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, meaning the bout will be professional and go on both fighters' official records.
The match will consist of eight two-minute rounds and the fighters will use 14-ounce gloves. Both of these conditions are assumed to favor Tyson, as the shorter rounds will be much easier on him and the gloves provide extra hand protection.
The early hypothetical odds at DraftKings Sportsbooks had Paul as the heavy favorite at -360, most likely because he is thirty years younger. Tyson, who was +300 at the time, will be 58 by the time of the fight. And in combat sports, that type of disadvantage is often too much to overcome.
Back in March, FOX Sports' Keyshawn Johnson said he believes Paul has a lot to fear when he steps into the ring with Tyson.
"[Jake Paul] is in the ring with a dude who did that for a living," Johnson said on "Undisputed." If you [Skip Bayless] get on a football field with me, it's not going to be the same, because I did that for a living. If I try to be a journalist like you all the time, you're probably going to win. But, he is going up against a guy that all he did for his life … was box.
"I don't know Jake Paul's chin level, I don't know if he can take a shot or whatever the case may be, but Mike Tyson is not going to lose to him."
Who are you backing in the battle of the ages? FOX Sports will update you as the story unfolds!
