Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson predictions: Will we see a KO?
theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 ahead of Friday's blockbuster event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Jake Paul (10-1) vs. Mike Tyson (50-6, 2 NCs)
Let's get this out of the way: Tyson can knock Paul out. But that isn't the likeliest outcome.
Paul is more than three decades younger than Tyson; Paul's 27 and Tyson's 58. That age gap is a huge hill for Tyson to climb, especially considering the former heavyweight champion hasn't stepped into the ring since 2020 and hasn't fought professionally in almost 20 years.
Meanwhile, Paul - the YouTube star turned boxer who's taken the combat sports world by storm in the last four years - has stayed busy, competing three times since December. "The Problem Child" is seeking his fifth straight victory.
Friday's main event will be a relatively short one, as it's scheduled for a maximum of eight two-minute rounds. Tyson's best shot to win will come in the first round or two when he's fresh. Otherwise, Paul should be able to outlast him down the stretch.
Ultimately, I think Paul has the movement and speed necessary to avoid the one-punch knockout, drag Tyson into deep waters, and make it a grueling affair. The big question is whether or not Paul finishes Tyson, and my gut says he'll put together a flurry of punches the referee decides is enough to wave off the fight.
The pick: Paul, seventh-round TKO
Katie Taylor (23-1) vs. Amanda Serrano (47-2-1)
Two-and-a-half years since Taylor and Serrano met in a highly anticipated title bout that ended up being widely considered the 2022 Fight of the Year, these two champions are still at the top of women's boxing and will square off again.
This time, Taylor is putting the undisputed junior welterweight championship on the line against Serrano, the unified featherweight champ. (Taylor defended the undisputed lightweight title in their first fight but moved up in weight since.)
The rematch is almost guaranteed to be another competitive fight, but Taylor's my choice as she's more accustomed to competing at 140 pounds. The Irishwoman looked terrific in her last win over Chantelle Cameron and showed no real signs of slowing down.
The pick: Taylor, unanimous decision
