Social Media Platform Triller Paying $50 Million For Mike Tyson's Boxing Return, Reports Say

Mike Tyson is returning to the boxing ring, and one social media platform is reportedly spending big money on the fight. Triller paid at least $50 million for the rights to exclusively stream the bout, according to CNBC.

Tyson, 54, will square off against 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. in an eight-round exhibition fight entitled “Frontline Battle.” Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, will host the boxing match on Sept. 12 without fans in attendance.

Triller is seeking more brand awareness with the fight, competing in the same space as social media giant TikTok. The company reached 50 million active users earlier this month.

Proxima Media, founded by Hollywood producer Ryan Kavanaugh, bought Triller in 2018.

Jones told TMZ that he could potentially earn more than $10 million for the fight. Tyson said any money he makes will go to charity.

Tyson received a $5.5 million purse for his last professional boxing match 15 years ago. The former heavyweight champion was defeated by Kevin McBride on June 11, 2005, ending a career that spanned 20 years.

“It’s because I can do it. And I believe other people believe they can do it, too,” Tyson said on ESPN’s “First Take” Thursday. “Just because we are 54, it doesn’t mean that we have to start a new career and our lives are totally over. Not when you feel as beautiful as I do, and I’m sure that other people feel the same way.”

Jones called it quits a couple of years ago after he defeated Scott Sigmon on Feb. 8, 2018. He won championships in four different divisions and finished his career with 12 victories in his last 13 fights.

“This isn’t a situation where they’re going out there to try to take each other’s heads off,” Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, told Yahoo Sports. “They’re just going to be in there moving around the ring and letting fans see these legends.”

Tyson turned down lucrative opportunities before agreeing to fight Jones. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president David Feldman told Ring Magazine he offered Tyson $20 million to compete for the company.

Tyson has made headlines this year with training videos that he’s posted on social media, sparking speculation that he might have another professional fight.