Why America is on board with Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul madness - despite controversy over boxing icon's return

Just around the corner from Arlington's AT&T Stadium, fight fans are making their disdain for Jake Paul abundantly clear as he prepares to step into the ring with a 58-year-old Mike Tyson.

A large yellow pad with Paul's face on has been stuck up outside one of the many sports bars surrounding the 80,000-seater venue that will host his battle with Tyson on Friday night. And on it reads the blunt order: 'Punch Jake'.

Most passers-by fail to resist the chance to do so.

'F*** Jake Paul, right?' one woman laughs before putting down her bag and hitting the pad while her friend takes a video. 'Gonna be a lot worse tomorrow buddy!' she then tells him.

Some opt to mimic a punch on the opinion-dividing Paul for photo opportunities. Others simply just laugh, take a snap of it and walk on.

The common denominator, however, is a burning hatred for the YouTuber-turned-boxer amid his plan to beat up on one of their aging sporting heroes who is 31 years his senior.

For all the controversy surrounding this freakish event, one which has left many with a sour taste long before the opening bell has even sounded, the American public still appear to be buying into it for two crucial reasons.

The first, as mentioned, is their sheer dislike for Paul. Whoever the opponent, the majority of the country wants to see him laid flat out on the canvas. He has mastered a polarizing persona that always puts bums on seats.

And to go with that, the second is their unwavering love for Tyson. Their belief that, even at 58, and even after pulling out of an initial July 20 date on medical grounds, his notorious power will still prove the difference.

While masses of ex-fighters and pundits are expressing fear for his safety, Texas natives are convinced Iron Mike will roll back the years and get the job done tonight. 

When asked why she's so confident in a Tyson win, the woman who took great pleasure in punching the Paul pad argues: 'Because he's Mike Tyson! He's the baddest man on the planet for a reason.' 

Another inarguable selling point here is the nostalgia element for those who grew up watching Tyson at the peak of his powers. 

Sure, for many the sight of him climbing back through the ropes 19 months before his 60th birthday will not be a pretty one. But there are some who are fascinated to see the most iconic fighter of their era lace up the gloves one more.

One man preparing to take his son to the fight cannot contain his excitement. 'I grew up watching Mike Tyson, so he's like an icon of my childhood,' he says. 'And just for my son to have the opportunity to see him fight and see him fight somebody from his generation is awesome.'

As for whether the fight should be taking place or not from an ethical standpoint, the answer is clear: 'Absolutely.'

And even his son cannot look past the natural talent of Tyson despite the former undisputed heavyweight champion's reign being a bit before his time.

'I think Jake Paul's 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's good but Tyson's got it.

'People will always remember Mike Tyson as the man that rose from the bottom and always came up top, even in his old age. He'll be remembered way more than Jake Paul will.'

The faith in Tyson to pull off the upset is surprisingly common on the streets of Arlington. Some may rephrase that as blind faith, yet whether they like to admit it or not, there is an element of the unknown that makes this fight intriguing.

What will happen if Mike lands a big right hand? Has he still got his power? And can Jake stand up to it?

The bookmakers are siding with Paul but not by the largest of margins. At the time of writing Tyson is a +168 underdog after 90 percent of bets on the fight were placed on him. Last week he was valued at +225.

Nevertheless, the heavier bets are being made on Paul this week. One punter in Michigan has even put down $1million on the 27-year-old to prevail.

BetMGM said earlier this week that Tyson vs Paul is on track to go down as the most bet-on boxing match in the sportsbook's seven-year history.

Though according to ESPN, seven out of the 38 American states where sports wagering is legalized have banned gambling on the fight.

While it will be professionally sanctioned, Tyson is taking on Paul in eight two-minute rounds as opposed to the regular three-minute versions. The pair will also be wearing 14oz gloves rather than the usual 10oz numbers worn by heavyweights. 

New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado are said to be among the states not taking bets on Tyson vs Paul on Friday night, with the New York State Gaming Commission it is not eligible for wagering because of the 'non-traditional rules'.

Colorado and Pennsylvania gambling chiefs coincided with that view, while the former cited not all fighters being professionally ranked as another reason why. 

Regardless, sportsbooks are readying themselves for a historic volume of bets in the 31 states that are allowing gambling 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 priced at just $67 earlier this week - almost $350 less than the lowest-costing ticket four months ago.

There is no chance the 80,000-seater AT&T Stadium will be full up by the time Tyson and Paul square off on Friday night. That was always going to be near-enough impossible.

Yet it still promises to bring in a huge crowd at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.  Thursday's weigh-in alone attracted thousands at Irving's Toyota Music Factory, where Mike's legion of supporters showered Paul in boos as he tipped the scales.

And later this evening, many of them and more will grab a piece of history when their beloved fight icon makes his astonishing comeback. Like it or not, America is intrigued by how it will play out.

As Paul and Tyson prepare to square off, CELSIUS will take center stage throughout fight week in Texas, helping to keep fans energized while onsite.

Paul joined CELSIUS’ roster of athletes in 2023. As a longtime fan of the energy drink, he has integrated CELSIUS energy drinks into his daily routine, choosing it as his preferred drink 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’m all about pushing boundaries and bringing the best to the sport. Whether it's preparing for fight night or organizing game-changing events like this one, CELSIUS keeps me energized and performing at my peak. It’s a game-changer, just like what we’re doing at MVP.'