In a spectacular and dazzling move, Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh has offered boxer Mike Tyson a staggering $700 million to agree to a real-life boxing match with YouTube sensation Jake Paul. The stakes are high: if Tyson wins by knockout in three minutes or less, the massive payout is off the table.
Alalshikh, a prominent figure in sports and entertainment, doesn’t hide behind the boxing matches he calls Jake Paul’s previous fights. In a recent statement, Alalshikh criticized the way Paul approaches boxing, calling it a “shame” in the ring. “Jake Paul is a shame,” he said. “I watched a 58-year-old legend willingly lose a Hollywood fight to a 27-year-old for money. That’s not how boxing should be.”
The offer to Tyson comes with the condition that the fight be legitimate – no spectacle or showmanship, but a real fight for money with the intensity Tyson is known for. “I will give Mike Tyson $700 million if he agrees to fight Jake Paul this time in a real fight and win by knockout in no more than three minutes,” Alalshikh added. “I have boxed for years and I know what Mike Tyson can do.”
Mike Tyson, whose reputation as one of the greatest and fiercest boxers of all time is undisputed, has not fought professionally for over a decade, though he did return to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition fight against the late Roy Jones Jr. Despite his age, now 58, Tyson remains in remarkable physical condition and continues to train. His legendary power and speed, though slightly diminished from his prime, still make him a dangerous opponent in the ring.
Jake Paul, meanwhile, has made a name for himself in boxing circles despite his controversial entry into the sport. After starting his career with several knockout victories over former MMA fighters and even some seasoned boxers, Paul’s critics claim that his fights were nothing more than publicity stunts designed to gain attention. His recent wins, including a knockout of former UFC fighter Tyron Woodley, have sparked debates about the issue or whether it is necessary to take on a boxing tyrant like Tyson.
However, the likelihood of Paul stepping into Tyson’s ring for a real fight is raised by high stakes. A genuine boxing match would do away with the theatrics and force the two men to compete at the highest level of the sport. If Tyson accepts the challenge, it will not only be a test of his borrowed skills, but also a chance for him to secure one of the biggest payouts in box office history. For Paul, the chance to face Tyson in a legitimate fight could either cement his place as a serious boxer or expose him as a mere passing showman.
As for Jake Paul’s reaction to that offer, it remains to be seen whether he will accept the challenge. Not in the past, Paul publicly expresses his interest in fighting known names, but he will be willing to face an experienced fighter like Tyson in a genuine, uncertain fight. Moreover, Alalshikh’s offer raises a question: will Jake Paul continue to chase less convinced opponents or will he step up to face the biggest challenge of his career?
For now, the boxing world is on tenterhooks. Will we witness a true generational clash, with the young and impetuous Jake Paul facing the experienced and powerful Mike Tyson? Time will tell.
