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Paul-Tyson fight draws record betting activity for combat event
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The boxing match brought together specific demographics of young fans and old enthusiasts, who remember the old Mike Tyson glory

BetMGM reported that the matchup between the 26-year-old YouTube star and 58-year-old Tyson, who struggled with his age in the bout, was their most-bet boxing or mixed martial arts event. According to BetMGM, the fight saw three times the number of bets and four times the money wagered compared to any previous combat sport in its history.

Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, highlighted the fight’s massive popularity, comparing its betting interest to an NFL Monday night game. “We knew there would be tremendous interest in the fight, as the betting suggested it was a generational matchup in customer demographics,” said Mucklow. “Those old enough to remember a prime Mike Tyson got to live the nostalgia one last time, while those not old enough to know Iron Mike were firmly on the Jake Paul side of the counter.”

Johnny Avello, director of sports operations at DraftKings, echoed that sentiment, noting that this was also their most-bet boxing match. “The bettors were yearning for Tyson to return to the ring even at 58 years old, and wanted to be a part of this moment with one of the icons of the sport,” said Avello. “We’ll see who Jake Paul fights next, but his matches have proven to create immense buzz and unprecedented action on our platforms.”

While it’s challenging to compare the betting volume to past high-profile fights—given that many of Tyson’s biggest bouts took place before widespread legalization of sports betting beyond Nevada in 2018—the fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was still a betting phenomenon. Currently, sports betting remains illegal in 38 states.

At BetMGM Sportsbook, most bets focused on proposition bets, with the most popular involving Tyson’s chances of winning by knockout, decision, or a first-round KO. Despite Paul being the -175 favorite, 67% of the tickets and 53% of the total money at BetMGM backed Tyson.

Alex Rella, a senior trader at BetMGM, noted, “Paul winning was a good outcome for the sportsbook,” reflecting the profit gained from his victory given the large number of bets placed on Tyson.