(Credits: Netflix)

On the eve of their historic boxing match at Arlington, Texas’ AT&T Stadium, Mike Tyson has dubbed social media star Jake Paul “manufactured”.

The comment was made in the second episode of Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, the documentary series Netflix is using to hype the bout. It will be the main event of the first boxing event the streaming giant has ever shown live, and organisers aim to sell 60,000 tickets to curious fight fans on November 15th.

In Countdown, 58-year-old Tyson watched 27-year-old Paul refer to boxing as “his sport now”, which prompted the “baddest man on the planet” to give him a harsh reality check.

Tyson said, “There’s a fundamental difference between me and Jake. He’s a manufactured killer. Television and papers made him a killer. He’s manufactured. I’m a natural-born killer. That’s the difference.”

They were strong words from a man who was once the undisputed world heavyweight champion for three years, especially considering he is gearing up to face a YouTuber who only began boxing in 2020. Interestingly, though, Paul will enter the fight as the bookie’s favourite due to the 31-year age gap between the fighters, the fact Tyson has come out of retirement for the fight, and Paul’s undeniably impressive record as a pro boxer thus far.

Tyson has gotten himself in incredible shape for the fight, but there are many who still worry he will be unable to best a young fighter in his physical prime. On the other hand, Paul critics have pointed out that even though he’s won tenof his 11 professional fights, most were special attraction fights against mixed-martial artists. The only boxer he’s actually faced is Tommy Fury, who beat him on points.

Netflix is betting big on the event, which will also feature a six-match undercard, including three world title fights. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will co-headline with their much-anticipated rematch for the undisputed light welterweight title. Elsewhere on the card, Mario Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against Abel Ramos, and about will decide the WBO super-middleweight champion between Shadasia Green and Melinda Watpool.

Paul, a lightning rod for controversy, was heavily criticised in certain corners for taking the fight with an ageing legend like Tyson. However, he argued, “Making history. This is what it’s all about for me, man. I’m a kid from Ohio. They’ll never give me credit. That’s the way it is. If I were walking on water, they would say it’s because I couldn’t swim. And this is to make history. The people think I’m going to get knocked out by this strong, powerful guy.”

However, he stated, “You got to risk it for the biscuit. That’s the name of the game.”