DraftKings lands Mike Tyson bout sponsorship
US operator to be afforded branding opportunities across media day, weigh-in and fight night
DraftKings has sealed an agreement to become the official sports betting partner for the upcoming exhibition boxing match between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.
The event, which will see a unique set of rules in place, will take place on November 28 and will feature a swathe of DraftKings branding as part of the deal.
The Boston-based operator will also launch a national, free-to-play pool for the contest, while customers in Illinois, New Hampshire and New Jersey can exclusively bet on the main event.
DraftKings will also create an original series called ‘Tale of the Bet’ to detail sportsbook trends including total handle and bet placements under the remit of the sponsorship.
According to reports, the former world champions will be prohibited from knocking each other out. If either fighter draws blood from their opponent, the match will immediately come to an end.
54-year-old Tyson’s last bout was a loss to Irish boxer Kevin McBride in 2005, while Jones Jr. last stepped into the ring in 2018.
Ezra Kucharz, DraftKings chief business officer, said: “Viewers of this fight will be at the forefront of a premier and customer-first event that pits two generationally dominant boxing talents against one another while also integrating DraftKings branding and exclusive sportsbook data for a seamless second-screen experience.”
Ryan Kavanaugh, event producer, added: “We couldn’t be happier to have DraftKings as the betting partner for the Tyson vs. Jones Jr. fight. This is an epic event we will all remember, and it is exciting to have the power and scale of DraftKings allow viewers to participate in a meaningful way.”