(This story first was published at USA TODAY Sports.)
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight in less than two weeks as part of their Netflix boxing special scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium and give us an answer to the question that surfaced just as soon as this spectacle was announced nearly eight months ago.
Can a 58-year-old version of Tyson returning from a health issue last May knock out Paul, the 27-year-old YouTube star who built a lucrative career as a boxer and promoter through a series of exhibition bouts in recent years? With custom fight rules and the unknown of what Tyson might look like four years removed from his last appearance in the ring for a match, speculation about a winner has been all over the place.
Now, as the fight is finally approaching, more boxing experts, former champions and former Tyson opponents are offering their thoughts on who might win this made-for-streaming fight. Here are some of the latest picks and predictions ahead of Tyson vs. Paul on Nov. 15, as well as current odds and how to watch:
Bob Arum, Top Rank CEO: Paul wins
“A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight,” Arum said in an interview with Johnny Boy Boxing last month. “You can’t throw punches like you’re supposed to, you can’t do a lot of things. I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him relatively no chance. You lose that muscle memory as you get older.”
Lennox Lewis: Tyson wins
“Mike Tyson’s gonna win. He’s not that old. Don’t take him too softly. We’re one year apart,” Lewis told FOX 29 in Philadelphia during an interview last April. “You can fight somebody like that and do well, because the person you’re fighting is not a true fighter and there’s a hundred things that you’ve forgotten that he’s learning.”
Roy Jones Jr.: Tyson has the edge
“It’s a young lion and an old lion. It’s a great situation for them,” Jones said in an interview with FightHype in September. “It gives Jake a chance with Mike being as old as he is. I think it’s a great opportunity for both fighters but I still think Mike is gonna be a little bit too much for Jake.”
Buster Douglas: Easiest win of Tyson’s career
“It’s not going to be good for Jake,” Douglas said in an interview with Gambling Zone in June. “I don’t think there will be much of a boxing career left for Paul afterwards. I think once Mike gets rid of him, that’s it for his boxing career. The best scenario for Paul is to just last the entire fight, say he went the distance with Mike Tyson.”
Sports Betting Dime: Paul by decision
“If this goes into the later rounds, Paul’s combination of youth and cardio will be the difference. Look for Paul to utilize his jab and footwork to keep Tyson on the outside. The heavier 14-oz gloves and two-minute rounds will also likely work against Iron Mike, potentially sapping his explosiveness in the second half of the fight.”
Tyson vs. Paul: Time, date and streaming
Photos: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson press conference in New York
Date: Friday, Nov. 15
Time: Ring walk not yet announced (full event begins at 8 p.m. ET)
TV: Not available on TV
Streaming: Netflix
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson odds
As of Nov. 6, odds from BetMGM give Paul the edge against Tyson.
Moneyline: Paul (-250) | Tyson (+190)
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight card
Super lightweight title bout: Katie Taylor vs. Amando Serrano
Middleweight: Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes
Welterweight: Mario “El Azteca” Barrios vs. Abel Ramos
Super Middleweight: Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool
Lightweight: Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica
Featherweight: Bruce Carrington vs. Dana Coolwell
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul predictions: Experts, boxing legends give picks for Netflix event
