Mike Tyson, one of boxing’s all-time greats, has reportedly been offered a staggering $700 million for a rematch against YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul. However, there’s a significant catch: Tyson would need to knock Paul out within the first three minutes to secure the massive payday.
The offer reportedly comes from Turki Alalshikh, a high-ranking Saudi government adviser and chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia. Alalshikh has gained a reputation for injecting substantial funds into boxing events to transform the sport’s landscape.
Tyson’s first bout with Paul, held in November, ended with Paul winning by decision, a result that left many fans and critics frustrated. The fight was promoted heavily, even appearing as part of a Netflix special, but several high-profile attendees and commentators accused the event of being more spectacle than sport.
NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who attended the fight, expressed his disappointment, suggesting the bout lacked authenticity. “That fight was a lie,” Irvin said. “Everybody’s lying… I didn’t see one patented uppercut by Mike Tyson. How can you put that in a fight contract?”
Irvin’s comments added fuel to the fire, as others speculated that Tyson may have been restricted in his moves due to contractual stipulations, preventing him from delivering his iconic punches.
The reported offer from Alalshikh was first circulated by the Instagram page FTTV and later covered by outlets such as MMA Weekly. According to the reports, Alalshikh labeled Jake Paul “a joke” and proposed the enormous payout as a way to restore Tyson’s reputation.
“I am giving Mike Tyson $700 million if he agrees to fight Jake Paul, this time in a real fight, and wins by KO in a maximum of three minutes,” Alalshikh reportedly stated.
This added condition makes the offer both enticing and extremely challenging. Tyson, known for his knockout power in his prime, would have to channel his younger self to pull off such a victory against Paul, who has surprised many with his improving boxing skills.
Questions remain about the legitimacy of Alalshikh’s offer. While he has a history of making bold investments in boxing, no formal statements have been issued to confirm the $700 million proposal. Furthermore, Alalshikh has not publicly commented on Tyson or Paul since promoting their initial fight online.
Adding to the uncertainty is the broader criticism surrounding Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in sports. While the country’s financial power has brought unprecedented attention to events like boxing, critics argue it has also introduced unpredictability and concerns about the authenticity of the matches.
The massive offer to Tyson has reignited debates about the current state of boxing and its financial model. UFC President Dana White, a vocal critic of boxing’s structure, weighed in during a recent interview.
“Boxing doesn’t fing work,” White said, citing the reliance on wealthy backers like Saudi officials to fund major events. “It takes a fing Saudi trillionaire to make boxing work.”
White’s comments came amid ongoing criticism of UFC fighter pay compared to the lucrative opportunities available to athletes who transition to boxing. However, White pointed out that even wealthy investors often lose substantial amounts of money trying to sustain boxing events.
“Even Saudi trillionaires get tired of fing bulls,” White quipped. “It’s all a myth. All the people trying the boxing thing end up losing s***loads of money.”
If the reported offer is real, Tyson would face a high-stakes decision. The former heavyweight champion, now in his late 50s, has previously shown flashes of his former greatness in exhibition fights. However, meeting the three-minute knockout condition against a younger, stronger Jake Paul could be a daunting challenge.
For Paul, the rematch represents another chance to solidify his legitimacy in the boxing world. Despite widespread criticism, he has built an impressive record against former MMA fighters and retired athletes, though his win over Tyson remains a polarizing topic.
Whether or not the rematch materializes, the rumored $700 million offer underscores how far boxing has shifted toward spectacle-driven events. With celebrity matchups often overshadowing traditional bouts, fans are left to wonder if the sport’s future lies in competition or entertainment.
If Tyson and Paul do agree to a rematch under these extraordinary terms, it could set a new precedent for boxing’s financial landscape—one where the stakes are as jaw-dropping as the payouts.
2 Comments
First requirement, ‘remove the pillows’ disguised as boxing gloves. Talk about the opportunity for FRAUD. $700M split two ways is still more money than either whack would need over at least two lifetimes! $350M each, I’d go in less than a minute, but not by a ‘killer’ punch. 😉
The first fight was a complete farce! He did more damage to his sparring partners than he did to Jake for crying out loud🤨