YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul undermined the boxing legacy of two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson with a tedious win on points, disappointing 70,000 fans in Texas and millions more who streamed the controversial fight on Netflix.
At 58 and 19 years out of professional competition, Tyson appeared only a shadow of his former self.
At 27, Paul, still a newcomer to boxing, leveraged his youth and athleticism. He managed to keep Tyson at a distance, effectively landing jabs and precise punches throughout the eight rounds, each lasting two minutes.
Despite a warm welcome at the start, Tyson’s performance was sluggish, eliciting significant boos as the fight concluded.
Some fans departed before the announcement of the judges’ unanimous scores: 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
In an awkward post-fight moment, Tyson, marking his seventh professional loss in 57 fights, challenged Paul’s brother, Logan, hinting at another potential bout.
Questions about the fight’s legitimacy and the seriousness of the contenders loomed, but Tyson affirmed his intent to compete.
The Texas commission mandated heavier, more padded gloves for this sanctioned professional bout—a decision that in retrospect seems even more questionable.
Even lighter gloves wouldn’t have altered the outcome, as no punch thrown neared knockout potency.
Tyson managed only 18 punches during the entire match, starkly contrasted by Paul’s 78.
Paul, initially known for his prank videos and a massive 70 million social media following, secured his 11th professional win—recovering from a previous defeat to Tommy Fury and reasserting his ambition to challenge Mexican boxing icon Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Paul provocatively noted, “He knows he wants a payday, so he knows where the money is,” signaling his ongoing quest for high-profile, lucrative fights.
Reflecting on the bout, it was no surprise to critics who argued it made a mockery of the sport. Tyson, having lost his zeal for boxing since his 2005 defeat to Kevin McBride, was clearly not the formidable competitor of his youth.
From the outset, it was evident Tyson lacked the stamina, though he retained some power. If Tyson had any chance, it would have come from an early knockout, but Paul quickly took control with sharp jabs and notably shook Tyson with a left hand in the third round.
Sporting the world’s most expensive shorts, Paul dominated his elder opponent, dodging and weaving through Tyson’s attempts to connect.
Tyson, wearing a black brace over his right knee, showed glimpses of his old agility but missed significant punches, highlighting the gap their ages brought to the fight.
By the seventh round, as Paul landed a critical left hook, the crowd was ready for the end.
While the fight itself was underwhelming, it was undeniably a spectacle, streamed worldwide to Netflix’s 283 million subscribers. With Paul reportedly earning £30m and Tyson half as much, the financial stakes were as high as the theatrical presentation.
Paul’s ring entrance was as flashy as his online persona—driven in a customized green car while Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” played, with his brother, Logan, and a pigeon intended as a gift for Tyson, who is known for his fondness for racing pigeons.
The atmosphere was electric as Tyson, dressed in all black and maintaining his stern expression, made his iconic walk to the ring, surrounded by a roaring crowd.
The event raked in over £14.1m from ticket sales, with VIP packages fetching as much as £1.6m.
Boxing legends like Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., and Andre Ward joined the broadcast team, and stars from Netflix’s hits like Cobra Kai and NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal were ringside spectators.
This may very well be the last time Tyson steps into the ring. Despite the draw of the limelight and the lure of millions, for his safety and the dignity of the sport, hopefully, Tyson’s return was a one-time indulgence.
