Mike Tyson has declared his interest in a sensational second fight with Jake Paul, following the social media star's devastating knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua.
Joshua Delivers on 'Soul-Taking' Promise
The highly-anticipated bout, streamed live on Netflix from Miami, Florida, saw former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua face the toughest challenge of Jake Paul's boxing career. Joshua had vowed in the build-up to 'take Jake's soul', a promise he delivered on emphatically.
During the eight-round contest, Paul spent the early rounds largely avoiding the powerful Briton. However, the fight turned decisively in the fifth round when 'The Problem Child' was knocked down twice. The end came in the sixth, as Joshua finished the fight with a ferocious right hand that knocked Paul out cold, leaving him with a suspected broken jaw.
The Miami crowd, who had grown frustrated with Paul's tactics, voiced their disapproval with boos before the conclusive finish. This marked only the second professional loss for Paul, following a run of victories that included a win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June and the controversial defeat of Mike Tyson in November 2024.
Tyson's Rematch Ambition Post-Mayweather
Despite his defeat to Paul last year, 59-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson has now openly discussed a potential rematch. Tyson's comments came before Paul's loss to Joshua, but he reiterated his interest following the weekend's result.
The 'Baddest Man on the Planet' is first scheduled for a lucrative exhibition match against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in the spring of 2026, a fight he agreed to in September. Speaking about his training as he approaches 60, Tyson said: "I'm getting more and more confident, and I believe I'll be better in the [Mayweather] fight coming up."
He reflected on his previous preparation for Paul, stating: "I realised how to train this time, more than other times... I think I trained a little bit too intensely [for Paul], and I left most of my fight in the gym." Tyson also revealed he was 'really ill' in the lead-up to the first Paul fight, though he did not use it as an excuse for the loss.
His ambition for a second showdown is clear: "I'm just hoping, after this Floyd fight, maybe we can have a rematch. Yes, I would be interested in that." In their first encounter, Tyson landed just 18 of his 97 attempted punches, while Paul connected with 78 shots, securing a comfortable unanimous decision victory over the ageing icon.
Future Implications for Paul's Career
Jake Paul's defeat to Anthony Joshua represents a significant setback for the YouTuber-turned-boxer, whose victory over a 58-year-old Tyson sparked widespread outrage among fans and media. The one-sided nature of the Joshua fight has led to questions about Paul's ability to compete at the highest level of the sport.
However, the potential for a lucrative rematch with Mike Tyson in late 2026 or beyond remains a compelling narrative. For Tyson, it represents a chance to avenge a loss and prove his enduring prowess, while for Paul, it would be an opportunity to rebound and secure another major pay-per-view event.
The boxing world now watches to see how 'The Problem Child' recovers from this brutal knockout and whether the path eventually leads him back to a second meeting with 'Iron Mike'.
