In a surprising move that has left the combat sports world buzzing, Jake Paul has turned down a highly lucrative $700 million rematch with boxing legend Mike Tyson in Saudi Arabia. The potential showdown, which was expected to make history as one of the most profitable boxing matches of all time, would have seen the winner walk away with an astronomical sum. However, Paul has firmly declined the offer, citing a unique set of priorities that involve his ongoing feuds with 19-year-old streamer IshowSpeed and fellow influencer Logan Paul.
Jake Paul, the YouTube sensation turned professional boxer, has been making waves in the combat sports arena for the past few years. Known for his bold personality and willingness to take on high-profile opponents, Paul’s career has been filled with attention-grabbing moments. But his latest decision has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike, especially given the enormous financial incentives involved in a fight against Tyson, one of the most iconic figures in boxing history.
The $700 million rematch, which was set to take place in Saudi Arabia, promised to be a spectacle of epic proportions. The Saudi government has invested heavily in sports events, attracting some of the biggest names in boxing, including Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, to the region in recent years. Tyson, at 57 years old, had expressed his willingness to return to the ring for a potential fight against Jake Paul, fueling speculation that this could be a generational clash between the old and new guard of boxing.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, Jake Paul released a statement explaining that he could not accept the offer, as he had other pressing engagements. “I’ve got serious business to handle,” Paul said in a social media post. “I’m locked in on my fights with IshowSpeed and Logan Paul. These are the fights that matter to me right now. I can’t miss them, and I certainly can’t postpone them for anything, not even for $700 million.”
Paul’s remarks highlight his growing interest in rivalries with personalities from outside the traditional boxing world, particularly IshowSpeed, the 19-year-old streamer known for his controversial antics and massive online following. Despite his youth, IshowSpeed has managed to build a huge fan base and is increasingly seen as one of Paul’s most significant potential opponents. Similarly, Jake Paul’s ongoing feud with his brother Logan, a fellow influencer-turned-boxer, has been a long-running narrative that fans have been eager to see culminate in the ring.
In an additional twist, Paul made it clear that even if he was willing to fight anyone, including Mike Tyson, he would never step into the ring in Saudi Arabia—no matter the financial reward. “I’m an American boxer,” he explained. “Boxing in Saudi Arabia is just too serious for me. It’s not about the money; it’s about where I’m fighting and why I’m fighting. I’ve got my own principles, and fighting in Saudi doesn’t align with them, even if they offered me $1 billion.”
Paul’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about the role of international venues like Saudi Arabia in the global boxing landscape. While many fighters are eager to compete in the Middle East due to the region’s heavy investment in sports, Paul’s refusal to fight there—regardless of the financial windfall—raises questions about his stance on the sport’s future direction.
For now, Jake Paul seems focused on what he considers his more personal and important rivalries. Whether or not his decision will impact his reputation in the boxing world remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jake Paul is not afraid to march to the beat of his own drum, even if it means turning down the fight of a lifetime with Mike Tyson.
As for the rest of the combat sports world, they’ll have to wait and see what unfolds next in the unpredictable career of Jake Paul. Whether he ultimately steps into the ring with IshowSpeed or Logan Paul, or even revisits a rematch with Tyson in the future, one thing is for certain—Jake Paul will always make headlines.
