The NASCAR season may have concluded, but the buzz around sports remains electric. Surprisingly, the highlight isn’t about drivers switching teams or jetting off to tropical vacations—it’s the highly anticipated boxing match between legendary fighter Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul that’s stealing the spotlight. Even rising dirt racing star Jade Avedisian has joined the conversation, sparking debate within the motorsport community.
Avedisian, who raced briefly alongside NASCAR icon Kyle Larson in 2020, took to social media to ask her followers who they thought would win the match. Her post stirred up a lively discussion online as fans weighed in on the clash between Tyson, a boxing legend, and Paul, a divisive but fast-rising name in the sport.
At just 18 years old, Avedisian has already made waves in dirt racing. In 2022, she became the first female driver to win the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and later earned the Rookie of the Year title at the 2023 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. With five wins last year and a history with Keith Kunz Motorsports—where Kyle Larson also raced—Avedisian is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most promising young talents. Many believe it’s only a matter of time before she joins one of NASCAR’s national series.
For now, Avedisian seems to be enjoying her time outside the track, jumping into the hype surrounding the Tyson-Paul fight. In a tweet, she wrote, “Who you putting your money on tonight?!? I got Mike,” aligning herself with Tyson’s supporters. Former NASCAR driver Mark Martin also chimed in, posting, “Who you think is going to win the fight? Tyson is a scary dude.” These posts triggered a flurry of responses, with fans split on their predictions.
With a staggering $80 million purse on the line, the Tyson-Paul showdown has grown into a cultural spectacle—a face-off between an all-time great and a controversial newcomer. In NASCAR terms, it’s like comparing Jeff Gordon in his prime to young upstart Connor Zilisch, where the outcome depends on the moment. The excitement escalated further during the weigh-in, where Paul’s antics—crawling on the floor and stepping on Tyson’s foot—led to a heated exchange. Tyson, at 58, refused to engage in the weeks leading up to the match but eventually slapped Paul in response to the provocation, declaring, “Talking’s over,” before walking off stage. The incident reminded NASCAR fans of the fiery altercation between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch during this year’s All-Star race.
Fans of NASCAR, known for their knack for predicting race outcomes, eagerly shared their thoughts on the fight. Avedisian’s tweet garnered passionate reactions, with one fan cheering for Tyson, saying, “Hopefully Iron Mike KO’s him first round!!” Another voiced unwavering loyalty, stating, “I’d rather lose with Mike than profit from the JP.”
Despite retiring in 2005, Tyson appeared fit and ready at the weigh-in, tipping the scales at 233 pounds. Though 27 years older than his 26-year-old opponent, fans were confident in his abilities. One fan wrote, “I don’t care if Iron Mike is eighty billion years old. The brother is NOT someone I’d want to hit me in the face.” A more strategic take came from another fan who suggested, “Tyson will need a knockout in the first 3 rounds. If it goes the distance, his stamina might become an issue due to his age.”
As the clock ticks down to the fight, the sports world is divided, with opinions flying in from all directions. Whether Tyson’s experience or Paul’s youth prevails, fans are gearing up for an unforgettable battle in the ring.
