Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s Netflix Fight to Feature BHOUT Bags
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson won’t be the only ones grabbing the fighting community’s attention in the hours leading up to their highly anticipated bout
Before boxing legend Mike Tyson and influencer-turned-fighter Jake Paul go at each other in the ring, they and others will get the chance to turn their attention — and fists — toward what might be the world’s smartest boxing bags.
BHOUT, the Portuguese fintech startup, has partnered with Most Valuable Promotions, a live event promotion brand that’s co-owned by Paul and the promoter/producer for his upcoming bout with Iron Mike. In the days leading up to the fight, which will be available to stream via Netflix on November 15th, Tyson and Paul will partake in open workouts, a press conference and a weigh-in at The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas. There, BHOUT’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered boxing bags will be on display and available to wail on for Paul, Tyson, celebrities, athletes and fans.
BHOUT training bags, dubbed the “boxing bags with a brain,” use sensors and computer vision with AI to track performance, improve technique and avoid injuries. The bags measure users through six key data points: strength, power, accuracy, exertion, number of strikes and technique before giving users a final score.
“Combat sports are deeply embedded in what we do at BHOUT,” said Mauro Frota, CEO of BHOUT. “For the last decade, we’ve been developing the most exciting and immersive combat esports experience that levels up the way people practice, monitor and improve their fighting skills while also offering a unique entertainment experience.”
The training bags can identify five strikes per second in terms of location, force and type of strike with over 97% accuracy, according to BHOUT. They represent an impactful addition to the boxing equipment industry, likely to revolutionize the sport on a night that’s expected to do the same.
“We are changing the game from within and this week’s event is just the tip of the iceberg for us and for everything we can do in the sports and entertainment industry,” Frota added. “To be a part of a historic moment such as the Paul VS Tyson fight is beyond our wildest dreams as a startup still making its way to the top.”
BHOUT’s involvement promises to draw an increased level of attention toward itself and its products. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, who covers both Boxing and the NBA, claimed on a Boston sports radio show that the fight itself could generate 40-50 million viewers. BHOUT and Most Valuable Productions believe they can exceed that with ease, expecting an audience of 280 million to tune in.
With or without Paul and Tyson, BHOUT is poised for future success. The brand raised €10 million ($10.7 million) in seed funding last autumn. It also just won the KPMG Tech Innovator Award for 2024.
BHOUT’s deal with Tyson and Paul represents another sign promoting gamification’s future in fitness as well. There’s significant scientific evidence supporting the concept’s effectiveness in spurring retention and promoting a healthier lifestyle for users. Fitness brands such as Orangetheory, EGYM, Zwift and countless others have been quick to catch on.