Disclaimer: This article contains opinions that are strictly that of the author and an analysis of the public reaction to the recent livestream on Netflix.
With the streaming companies always fighting for more people to watch, there could hardly be a braver step as of now, than that taken by Netflix in livestreaming the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight. Featuring the two most talked-about names in boxing, this fight may have just changed the future of sports broadcasting.
Paul's flamboyant and often controversial personality, combined with Tyson's alarming aura made the match an important one for everyone, not just boxing fans.
But did Netflix truly gain much from this gamble? Let's take a look!
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are synonymous with controversy
Jake Paul became notorious on platforms like YouTube (without even considering all the weird details) for his wild behavior. In 2017, he was especially infuriating for many people, as he was seen hosting rowdy parties in Calabasas, California.
His transition to boxing has caused controversy. His trash-talking and boastful claims of his prowess are sometimes too much for old-fashioned boxing fans. He was also accused of a scam when his influencer training program, Edfluence, attracted disbelief when it had very little to boast of and thus shut down.
His fight with Mike Tyson caused more noise, as he said the match was not very competitive, and a question amongst people could be whether such fights were at all needed. Plus, Paul's mom hugged him (after he got slapped by Tyson) and said that she would do mean things to the boxing legend, and this was on record!
But we can't say that Tyson hasn't created numerous legal issues in his life. This includes him being convicted of r*pe in the year 1992. After that, people's perspective of him changed from a boxing champion to a controversial one.
Mike Tyson has openly discussed his addiction issues, as shocking as the biting incident during his recognized 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield, which led to his disqualification. Tyson has always been upfront about his battle with drug use throughout his career, much like Matthew Perry.
Netflix has a reputation for being politically correct
The image of the site has been far from that of a controversy-ridden like Jake Paul or Mike Tyson. Netflix speaks to the notion of inclusion and sensitivity as seen in their diverse productions and scripts, which very richly address social issues like race and gender and especially mental health.
Shows like 13 Reasons Why already deal with heavy matters such as suicide and bullying, so their influential plots will not go unnoticed. Bridgerton, despite being a period drama, has so many people of color in it. On the other hand, Jake Paul's brand focuses on drama as well as his YouTube and boxing career.
His endorsement of violence (whether in terms of aggressive marketing or tactics) goes against the narrative of Netflix as a house that brings out healthy messages to society. Also, Netflix has, on record, spoken against bad behavior in public life.
It is encouraging that the platform promotes initiatives for mental health awareness and anti-bullying campaigns. On the other hand, criticism is directed towards them as Paul's online bullying and his flippancy towards serious issues keep surfacing.
Past cases and other violent incidents like Tyson's ear-biting during a match also contradict Netflix's advocacy on responsible conduct in sports and entertainment.
Were numbers and corporate strategy enough to broadcast Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson?
While Netflix has loads of subscribers, it is not necessarily a good idea to broadcast particular content on this account of the controversies about the fighters. Combat sports issues concerning racism are paramount. Even though Mike Tyson happens to be one of the most well-known Black personalities, the nitpicking of his public image was way more pronounced than his paler contemporaries.
Jake Paul, on the other hand, has a different type of controversy. He often uses his advantages as a white influencer for the sake of some attention. So, race matters even in the social accounts of powerful athletes. When they seemingly care more about making money for their own sake than the issue of racism in sports, it pushes away viewers who are aware of those glaring problems.
The difference in age between Tyson and Paul brings ethical issues. Tyson is 58 years old and considered a symbol of an older generation of fighters, while Paul symbolizes a younger and braver one. Pitting an older legend against a much younger fighter raises concerns about safety and fairness in combat sports.
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Looks like streaming giants would platform anyone for the right numbers.
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