Whether you love it or loathe it, this weekend’s controversial boxing event, headlined by Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson, will make history as the first of its kind to be broadcast live on Netflix.
The introduction of such an enormous streaming platform, which holds a subscriber base of some 282 million people, could have a significant impact on how boxing is consumed in 2025 and beyond.
Eddie Hearn on Netflix’s future involvement in boxing events
Speaking to Ariel Helwani earlier this week, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn was asked whether Netflix’s hosting of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson is a precursor to the streaming giant becoming more involved with the sport in the future.
“I don’t know, you never say never,” stated the iconic promoter, before admitting that he doesn’t foresee Netflix becoming the go-to platform for boxing content in 2025.
“I don’t see a regular boxing schedule appearing on the platform. I may be wrong as time progresses… I think these one-off big events on Netflix with the ability to cross-promote with shoulder programming, you’ve seen that with the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson stuff, I think it really works.”
Netflix and Matchroom recently announced their own partnership for an exclusive behind-the-scenes boxing documentary series, produced by the team behind Drive To Survive (Formula One) and Full Swing (Golf), that will premiere on the streaming platform next year.
“And for us, our documentary series that launches next year is going to be a behind-the-scenes look at boxing, like Drive To Survive, which has revolutionized those sports… That gives us, our fighters, and Matchroom a huge global audience to showcase what we’re doing in boxing and sports around the world.”
“I think they’re [Netflix] going to be very important and I’m sure this weekend has been challenging for them, and it will be until Sunday morning but hopefully it can do good numbers.”
Whilst the wider boxing world might have unanimously condemned the Paul vs Tyson fight, Hearn acknowledged that the silver lining is the ‘Tudum’ of Netflix; simply put, the more platforms that are involved, the more people watch, the more money flows into the sport.
“I want more platforms in boxing, I want there to be more money coming into the ecosystem of boxing, I want to keep – even our broadcaster – on their toes, so even them showing this fight is good for boxing.
“The undercard has some good fights on it, obviously Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano, so there’s going to be a big audience and big eyeballs on the sport.”
Eddie Hearn addresses his comments over leaving the stadium before Tyson vs Paul
Hearn had previously made headlines when he suggested that he could leave the AT&T Stadium after Katie Taylor faces Amanda Serrano but before the main event fight’s opening bell.
“You know, a lot of people ask my opinion and sometimes it can ruffle the feathers of the MVP guys,” noted Hearn, explaining how despite wanting the event to go off without a hitch, he just doesn’t want to play a pivotal role if things go wrong.
“I’ve always been straight and honest, I’m not going to brown-nose people, I’m not calling for this fight to be banned – all I’m saying is that it’s not my cup of tea… I don’t want to see him in the ring again at 58, that’s it.”
“Listen, commercially I get it all, it’s going to do great numbers, people are going to make a lot of money and it’s fine – it’s just the world we live in today… It doesn’t sit right with me; again, I get it, and I wish everyone the best of luck, but I’m allowed to say that I don’t really want to see it.”
Bloody Elbow recently spoke to Kevin McBride, the last boxer to beat Mike Tyson, about his thoughts on the former champion’s return to the ring.
Tyson vs Paul goes down live from Arlington, Texas, on Friday, November 15.