When hyping his highly anticipated fight against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson last month, Jake Paul, the social media influencer-turned-professional boxer claimed he would walk away with a $40 million payday. The Nov. 15 event, which was held at AT&T Stadium in the Dallas suburb of Arlington, broke records by amassing $18.1 million in gate revenue — the highest for a combat sports event outside of Las Vegas. So did Paul make that much?
He’s not saying, but here’s what we do know.
A Historic Event in Sports Entertainment
In October 2023, Tyson responded to Paul’s $5 million challenge, which required the 58-year-old to last beyond the fourth round — or face the condition of getting a tattoo reading, “I love Jake Paul,” Fortune reported. The fight, promoted by Paul’s own Most Valuable Promotions, drew a crowd of more than 72,300 fans to AT&T Stadium, with an average ticket price of $304, according to CBS News. VIP seats went for $2 million each.
The highly anticipated bout not only filled the seats but also shattered streaming records. Netflix partnered with the promoters to broadcast the fight, attracting 60 million households globally. This partnership marked a groundbreaking moment for the sports and streaming industries, making it the most-watched combat sports event in U.S. history.
Nakisa Bidarian, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with Paul in 2021, lauded the event’s success in a statement, “this is what it means to push the boundaries of what’s possible in sports entertainment. From setting the highest gate outside of Las Vegas in U.S. history to becoming the most streamed sporting event.”
Bidarian also told CNBC that Tyson and Paul would each earn eight figures.
During an appearance on his brother Logan Paul’s podcast “Impaulsive” last month, Jake Paul addressed speculation about his earnings from the fight with Tyson. When asked if it was true that he made $170 million from the event, the UFC champion clarified, “That’s not true. it’s the most money I’ve made ever.” He added that the significant payday has inspired him to make a big purchase;
“Probably a ranch — a big piece of property and I’m gonna pimp it out.”
Paul secured a unanimous decision victory after eight rounds with the 58-year-old Tyson. The fight highlighted Paul’s growth as a professional boxer while doing little for Tyson’s legendary status in the sport. Unsubstantiated reports from online sources, including DraftKings Network, later claimed Tyson would be earning $20 million for the bout, according to reports from online sources, including DraftKings Network. Once known as “Iron Mike,” Tyson declared bankruptcy in 2003 but has spent the last decade rebuilding his brand and regaining financial stability.
Breaking Records and Setting Trends
The $18.1 million gate surpassed the previous Texas record for combat sports, set by Canelo Alvarez’s 2021 victory over Billy Joe Saunders, which brought in $9 million. Beyond its financial achievements, the event drew a star-studded audience, including former boxing champions Sugar Ray Leonard and Lennox Lewis.
The Paul-Tyson fight has set a precedent for future events, highlighting the potential for collaborations between streaming platforms and combat sports. For Tyson, the bout offered a nostalgic return to the ring, but it also showcased his enduring appeal. Whether this fight marks his final appearance remains uncertain.
