How much is Mike Tyson getting paid to fight Jake Paul?

Mike Tyson once blew through $400 million in career boxing earnings, culminating in his infamous bankruptcy filing in 2003 in which “The Baddest Man on the Planet” revealed he was $23 million in debt after squandering his fortune on everything from jewelry to cars to the care of his Siberian tigers. But money, he insists, is not the motivation behind his return the ring as a 58-year-old when he fights Jake Paul next month.
“I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk. Sometimes I want to see who I really am,” Tyson said last month during an appearance at a Cage Wars MMA event. “I want to see what I’m really made out of. I want to perform in front of the world. To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14. This fight is not going to change my life financially enough. This is just what I want to do.”
The Nov. 15 Netflix boxing event at AT&T Stadium headlined by Tyson’s exhibition bout with Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, is finally less than a month away. A Netflix documentary series featuring Paul and Tyson will be available for streaming on Nov. 7. It will show Tyson’s journey to get back in the ring, as well as Paul’s preparation to face Tyson. The fight will be broadcast exclusively through Netflix.
This will be Tyson’s first fight since his exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. A medical emergency suffered by Tyson initially led to a postponement of his matchup against Paul, which was originally set to take place on July 20. But Tyson now appears on course to go head-to-head with Paul in a stadium-sized spectacle promoters are advertising as a one-of-a-kind event.
So how much money is Tyson getting paid to fight in this boxing match? The answer isn’t necessarily straightforward.
Here’s everything there is to know about what Tyson and Paul stand to make when they meet in the ring next month, as well as information on how to watch, the current event card and fight rules.
IN DEPTH:Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight shapes up uniquely with shorter rounds, heavier gloves
Neither Tyson nor fight promoters have publicly revealed what Tyson’s pay day will be for this fight.
Tyson, in explaining why money was not the impetus to fight Paul, said he “could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis,” in reference to the Tyson 2.0 brand he co-founded three years ago. Forbes estimated the company made $150 million in revenues in 2023 off marijuana products.
Boxing industry experts have estimated Tyson could make somewhere in the range of $20 million at various times since the event was announced last March. Jimmy Kimmel, when Tyson was a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC last month, alluded to the alleged price tag while speaking to the former heavyweight champion.
“I know you’re making a lot of money … at least $20 million or something like that,” Kimmel said at one point during the interview. He did not ask Tyson to confirm the figure.
About the only unofficial clue about the fight’s purse came from Paul at an Aug. 18 news conference promoting the fight.
“I’m here to make $40 million and knock out a legend,” he said.
Paul released a video earlier this month offering Tyson $5 million if he can last more than four rounds in their fight. But it comes with a caveat, in addition to the apparent fake belly Paul wore while making the proposal.
If Tyson fails to make it past the fourth round, he must get a tattoo that reads: “I love Jake Paul.” Tyson responded in an interview with USA TODAY Sports last week.
“He should offer more,” Tyson said, before suggesting “probably 20 (million).”
“Tell him probably about 20 (million),” Tyson added.
As of October 16, odds from DraftKings give Paul the edge against Tyson.
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This sanctioned fight, approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, will consist of eight two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute rounds. Both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the standard gloves.
“I’m fighting on all of his rules and what he wanted,” Paul said recently. “He wanted it to be a pro fight. He wanted eight, two-minute rounds. So I’m giving him everything he wants.”
*Full card yet to be released
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