The long-awaited matchup between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is now just hours away. All fighters on the Paul vs Tyson card scheduled Friday, November 15, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas stepped on the scales for the weigh-in Thursday evening in front of a packed house of boxing media and fans at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas.
Jake Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) weighed within one pound of each other; Tyson at 228 pounds, Paul at 237 pounds. This is 11 pounds under Tyson’s all-time high of 239.5 pounds (against Brian Nielsen in 2001). Paul hasn’t fought as a professional above 200 pounds.
Mike Tyson weighed in 10 pounds under his heaviest previous weight, (239.5 vs. Brian Nielsen in 2001). Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
Both looked fit and ready to road. There was no faceoff, merely a brief shoving match before the pair were swarmed by security.
“Time for talk is over,” said Tyson.
Jake Paul is up 27 pounds from his previous high weight of 200 pounds. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
“He’s angry, he’s an angry little elf. Tomorrow you’re getting knocked the fuck out … It’s personal now. He must die!” hollered Paul in his parting words.
Paul vs Tyson Prediction: Paul By Decision
Enjoy seeing Mike Tyson in the ring again, but temper your expectations for a 58 year old, even Iron Mike. Photo: Esther Lin, MVP
Paul vs Tyson is happening whether you like it or not. The 58-year-old Tyson is taking it seriously, abstaining from alcohol and cannabis while training. He looked fit and huge, as did Paul who bulked up to be the same size as Tyson on fight night.
Nine of the 12 undercard fighters picked Tyson to win. Tyson is by far the fan favorite. But Father Time is undefeated.
The 27-year-old Paul makes up for lack of skills and experience with youth and power. It’s a boxing truism that power is the last skill to go. Power alone isn’t enough. Ask Anderson Silva, who didn’t have the skills at 47 to prevail over Paul.
Lacking speed and footwork, Tyson won’t beat Paul. The best outcome if I was writing the script: Tyson gets a knockdown, but Paul bests Tyson by decision. Paul gets credit for winning and not getting knocked out. Tyson gets credit for lasting until the bell and taking fans down memory lane without getting hurt.
Undercard Weigh-In Results
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano said they are ready to make history again on Friday. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
Super Lightweight unified world champion Katie Taylor of Ireland (23-1, 6 KOs) and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 21 KOs) of Puerto Rico weighed in without incident and with mutual respect as the pair continued to make history. Taylor's IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO women's super-lightweight titles are at stake. Both weighed under the agreed-upon catchweight limit of 138 pounds at 137.5 pounds.
“This is our time. This is a defining moment for all women in boxing. We worked really hard to be in this position … I couldn’t ask for a better dance partner than Katie Taylor to showcase great women’s boxing. I can’t wait to go out there and throw my hands,” said Serrano.
“I think this is just another huge, monumental moment for women’s boxing, and I’m forever grateful,” said Taylor. This is a huge moment for the sport. I’ve had some amazing nights in my career over the past 18 years, but tomorrow it’s going to be the biggest night for women’s boxing ever.”
Our prediction: Serrano turns the tables. Read our full preview of Taylor Serrano 2 here.
Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos promise an all action fight for the fans. Barrios is the only Texas native on Friday's card. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
WBC World Welterweight champion Mario Barrios of San Antonio (29-2, 18 KOs) and challenger Abel Ramos of Casa Grande, Arizona (28-6-2, 22 KOs) made weight, promising an all-out Mexican guerra. “It’s going to be two Mexican warriors in Texas fighting for the championship of the world. You can’t miss it!” said Ramos.
“He’s hungry. I know he’s going to be coming with it tomorrow,” said Barrios.
Shadasia Green and Melinda Watpool had a brief shoving match as they faced off. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
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. Green weighed 167 and three-quarter pounds, with Watpool one pound lighter.
Watpool gave Green a shove after Green stepped to her during the faceoff. f“She was up in my face. I came here to do a job. I’ve trained hard, 17 years in the sport, and I’m taking that belt back to Canada,” said Watpool.
“Just an ass-whooping waiting for her tomorrow. Watch me put on a performance of a lifetime tomorrow. Everything is going to work in my favor. If the fight was right now, she’ll be getting up off the ground,” declared Green.
Three Streaming Fights ‘Before the Bell'
Bruce Carrington and Dana Coolwell flex for the fans at the weigh-in on Thursday. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
Opening the streaming undercard seen on the Most Valuable Promotions YouTube channel is a familiar name to many fans in the U.S., featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington of Brooklyn, New York (13-0, 8 KOs). He fights Dana Coolwell of Queensland, Australia (13-2, 8 KOs). Both men made weight, Coolwell at 125.2, and Carrington at 127.8 pounds.
“I will give a crowd-pleasing performance, and you will remember the name Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington,” said the Brooklyn native. Coolwell said he’ll box smart and stick to his game plan.
Super Middleweight Neeraj Goyat of India (18-4-2, 8 KOs) and Whindersson Nunes of Brazil in his pro debut weighed in, with all-time MMA great Anderson Silva of Brazil joining the festivities. Goyat weighed 162 pounds, Nunes 164 pounds.
Lucas Bahdi (left) called Armando Casamonica unprofessional for missing weight, but the fight is still on. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal, NY Fights
Super Lightweight Lucas Bahdi of Niagara Falls, Ontario (17-0, 15 KOs) faces Armando Casamonica of Italy (14-0, 3 KOs). Bahdi made weight but Casamonica, a late replacement, weighed 138.5 pounds. “Unprofessional, straight up unprofessional,” said Bahdi. “I made weight like a pro. But the fight will still go on, and I’m ready.”
The Netflix card includes the three championship fights plus Paul vs Tyson. 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: sign up now. The rush right before a big event can crash the system and frustrate fans.