Paul vs Tyson: Put Up Or Shut Up

Led by Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, fighters on the Paul vs Tyson fight card scheduled on Friday, November 15, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas first had to run the media gauntlet on Wednesday in front of a packed house of boxing media and fans at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas. Oh yes, and the worldwide audience watching on Netflix.

But who are we kidding. Everyone – save maybe Bruce Carrington, Senior, who was sitting next to me – was there to see Mike Tyson.

Mike Tyson resembled an imperious king on the throne at the final pre-fight news conference Wednesday. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights

Arriving and circulating among my colleagues, I told them I wanted to see some misbehavior. Nothing dangerous, just good clean, trash-talking fun.

Who knew it would come from former British cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, who interrupted ESPN’s Andreas Hale with his own microphone and a rant about Paddy Power? It was a promotion for an Irish betting website. Security promptly threw him out. Count on Bellew calling out Paul if he wins on Friday night.

But we’re getting way ahead of things.

Paul Tries to Provoke Tyson

Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) were the reason for the throngs of people and curious onlookers attending a Microsoft conference at the Westin hotel next door. But there are six undercard bouts, include three world championship bouts.

Paul, wearing diamond spiked ear covers (“so I don’t get my shit bit off Friday night”) was full of his usual bombast, and it served its purpose on Wednesday.

“I fear no man. So, I want him to be that old savage Mike. He says he’s going to kill me. Is that what you’re going to do, Mike? Because I’m ready. I want that killer. I want the hardest match possible Friday night, and I want there to be no excuses from everyone at home when I knock him out,” said Paul as he tried to provoke Tyson.

Tyson was stoic from the moment he walked in until the moment he left, his game face firmly in place. Netflix host Ariel Helwani worked hard to draw Tyson out, but it wasn’t happening.

“I’m just ready,” said Tyson, staring straight forward. He said his former trainer, the late Cus D’Amato, would be proud of him and he wasn’t considering another fight past his matchup Friday with Jake Paul.

The fight is sanctioned as a professional bout for eight two-minute rounds. The fighters will wear larger gloves than standard, 14 ounces instead of 10 ounces. These are the gloves typically worn during sparring sessions. They blunt punching power for safety.

Knockouts are permitted, unlike Tyson’s exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. two years ago.

Team Paul or Team Tyson?

When polled, the undercard fighters were overwhelming on Team Tyson.

When he couldn’t get much to work with from Tyson, Jake Paul decided to get predictions from the undercard fighters.

“The baddest man on the planet,” said Carrington, without hesitation.

“Come on, Jake Paul!” said Amanda Serrano. “You never bet against a legend, Mike Tyson,” replied Katie Taylor.

It was nine to three in favor of Tyson.

“When I see dumb people making dumb predictions, I just feel bad for them,” said Paul. He then challenged any of the fighters who chose Tyson to place a bet with him. Carrington said he’d bet one million dollars, and Neerah Goyat said he’d bet his house in India worth one million. Katie Taylor appeared to agree she’d bet her purse. Dana Coolwell drew appreciative laughs when he agreed to bet $20.

Turning to look at Bruce Carrington Sr. after hearing his son’s bet, he shook his head and smiled. Carrington Sr. is tremendously proud of his son’s accomplishments and doubtless used to his bigger-than-life personality.

Netflix and MVP win my sincere respect for staging a pre-fight news conference that lived up to the name. Members of the boxing media stood up and asked questions live. This shouldn’t be notable or rare. It’s refreshing and a big plus for the event – even when Hale was interrupted by Bellew.

Taylor Serrano 2: Rematch Pressure

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano face off Wednesday. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights

The fight of greater interest to serious boxing fans is the co-main event. Super Lightweight unified world champion Katie Taylor of Ireland (23-1, 6 KOs) and six-division world champion Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 21 KOs) of Puerto Rico meet in the rematch of their history-making fight at Madison Square Garden in April 2022.

Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO women’s super-lightweight titles are at stake. Taylor won a narrow decision over Serrano for her unified lightweight titles in a thrilling battle witnessed by a sold-out crowd. The outcome was disputed by many observers.

“I believe that I won the last fight clearly, and I’ve just got to go in there and fight and beat her again,” said Taylor. “I’m super to be here on the same card as a legend in the sport. It’s absolutely an amazing opportunity that we both have, and I just can’t wait to step in there and showcase what I can do again and get another win.”

“The pressure’s always there where you’re trying to be the face of a sport,” explained Serrano. “There’s a lot of us that come together. We made history together. I made history multiple times, and I just have to go out there and make sure that I perform like I did the last time and women won. I’m going to do what I do best, and I come to fight.”

Undercard Fighters Check In

Abel Ramos and Mario Barrios have been respectful in the lead up to their championship fight. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights

WBC World Welterweight champion Mario Barrios of San Antonio (29-2, 18 KOs) faces challenger Abel Ramos of Casa Grande, Arizona (28-6-2, 22 KOs) for Barrios’ belt.

“There’s no doubt about it. This is one of the biggest boxing events going on, and I’m just happy to be a part of it,” said Barrios. “I’m happy to be defending my title in my home state of Texas.”

Ramos acknowledged the challenge. “Mario’s a very, very tough opponent. You know, he has the height and reach advantage over me. I think the key to this fight is going to get inside.”

Dana Coolwell and Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrrington pose for fans on Wednesday. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights

Featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington of Brooklyn, New York (13-0, 8 KOs) is from the same Brownsville neighborhood as Tyson. He fights Dana Coolwell of Queensland, Australia (13-2, 8 KOs).

“This is honestly just a dream come true,” said Carrington, thanking Tyson and MVP. “I’m just ready to put on the show, man. I’m ready to put on the show and show everybody what the Shu Shu show has to deliver,” said Carrington.

Coolwell is on the biggest stage he could imagine. “I’m a proud Australian, Indigenous Australian, representing all of Australia. I’m just happy to be part of something so big, such a massive card on Netflix. And getting this opportunity, ready to show out, and put on a great performance, and show why we belong here on the world stage as well.”

Super Lightweight Lucas Bahdi of Niagara Falls, Ontario (17-0, 15 KOs) faces Armando Casamonica of Italy (14-0, 3 KOs). Bahdi scored a major upset in July with a knockout win over promising prospect Ashton Sylve. Bahdi promised more of the same.

“Knockouts is what I do. So you guys are in for a show,” promised Bahdi.

Super middleweights Shadasia Green of New Jersey (14-1, 11 KOs) and Melinda Watpool of Toronto (7-0, 2 KOs) fight for the vacant women’s WBO super middleweight title.

There is no way to predict what we might see from Goyat vs Nunes. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights

Super Middleweight Neeraj Goyat of India (18-4-2, 8 KOs) fights for the first time as an MVP fighter against Whindersson Nunes of Brazil, making his professional debut.

Goyat, age 32, is a former WBC Asia welterweight champion and the first-ever Indian fighter to make the WBC’s rankings. He is also a Bollywood star with one million Instagram followers. Nunes, age 29, is a Brazilian comedian who has participated in celebrity exhibition fights. He has 60 million Instagram followers. Who knows what we’ll be getting? This is a fight for the Misfits crowd.

If you can’t make it in person, you can watch livestreaming of these events daily. Most Valuable Promotions YouTube channel is your one stop viewing resource. Bookmark all events to keep up to date.

The fight card itself will air on Netflix starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with a handful of fights including the Carrington vs Coolwell fight on MVP’s YouTube channel.

There is no additional fee for current subscribers. For those who want to see the fight card, a single month’s subscription starts at $6.99. Our advice: Don’t wait until Friday to try and sign up. The rush to sign up before a big event can crash the system and frustrate fans.

Keep up with Paul vs Tyson  FIGHT WEEK INFORMATION from NY Fights.