Mike Tyson isn’t the betting favorite for Friday night's boxing match, but the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion of the world seemingly has the backing of the entire world against 27-year-old Jake Paul.
Well, almost everyone.
Caesars Sportsbook announced Thursday that a Michigan bettor wagered $1 million on Paul, a social media influencer and YouTube creator who turned that into a boxing career, at -220 to beat Tyson.
A bettor in MI wagered $1,000,000 on Jake Paul (-220) to win vs Mike Tyson 🤯
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) November 15, 2024
Potential payout: $1,454,000 pic.twitter.com/lqjsr56852
Despite being in the minority of betting action, the large wager would pay out $1.45 million.
Earlier this week, Caesars accepted a couple of bets around $5,000 on Paul, but it also took a $25,000 wager on Tyson to win at +190 at William Hill Nevada. Another Nevada bettor put $5,000 on Tyson to win by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification at +225.
Perhaps the biggest bet of all on this sanctioned fight comes from Paul, who said during Thursday’s press conference that he would put his entire purse, estimated at $40 million, on the line against Tyson.
The bout’s eight two-minute rounds between boxers using 14-ounce gloves will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and be broadcast on Netflix.
Hype it up
The hype surrounding this fight went up a notch on Thursday after Tyson slapped Paul during a face-to-face showdown at the weigh-in.
The made-for-streaming event has also become a huge draw for sports betting.
“Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight is on track to be the most bet boxing match in BetMGM history,” Alex Rella, senior trader at the sportsbook, said. “We are starting to see action on Paul, but Tyson is still popular with bettors.”
Paul, listed as the -190 favorite at BetMGM in the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul betting odds, is getting just 15% of the tickets while nabbing 41% of the handle.
FanDuel reported Thursday that the betting public “hates” Paul as Tyson is getting a whopping 90% of the bets at the sportsbook.
The public HATES Jake Paul 💀
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 14, 2024
90% of bets are on Mike Tyson to win vs. Jake Paul on Friday night, even at 58 years old 😤
📸: @MikeTyson pic.twitter.com/lOCLO4wIu3
Worst-case scenario
BetMGM also reported Friday that the most-bet prop is on Tyson to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification at +250 odds.
There are also popular longshot wagers on Tyson to win by points (+1,100) and Tyson to win in Round 1 (+1,400).
“The worst result would be a first round knockout by Iron Mike," Rella said.
