Texas, United States | By Michael Wandati | YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul secured a points victory over legendary two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a lackluster bout that left 70,000 fans in Texas—and millions watching on Netflix—disappointed.
At 58 and having retired from professional competition nearly two decades ago, Tyson struggled to showcase even a fraction of his former prowess. Facing the 27-year-old Paul, a boxing novice but far younger and more athletic, Tyson was outpaced and outboxed in an eight-round contest featuring two-minute rounds.
Paul controlled the fight with precision, keeping Tyson at bay with effective jabs and accurate punches. Tyson, despite receiving a hero’s welcome before the fight, appeared slow and fatigued, drawing boos from the crowd as the match concluded.
The judges’ scores—80-72, 79-73, and 79-73—highlighted Paul’s dominance. Some fans left the venue before the decision was even announced, underlining the anticlimactic nature of the event.
In an awkward post-fight moment, Tyson, now with seven losses in 57 professional bouts, hinted at fighting Paul’s brother Logan next, despite questions surrounding his readiness and the legitimacy of this matchup. Tyson maintained that he “came to fight,” but the fight’s underwhelming performance left many skeptical.
The Texas commission sanctioned the fight as a professional bout, mandating heavier gloves with extra padding. However, the gloves made little difference in a contest devoid of power punches or any real threat of a knockout. Tyson landed just 18 punches, compared to Paul’s 78.
Jake Paul, who initially gained fame through social media and prank videos, secured his 11th professional victory, rebounding from last year’s loss to Tommy Fury. Paul reiterated his ambition to fight boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, though such a matchup remains far from reality.
“He knows he wants a payday so he knows where the money is at,” Paul said.
Looking back, the outcome of Jake Paul’s win over Mike Tyson surprised few and further fueled criticism that the fight disrespected the sport of boxing. Tyson, now 58, admitted his heart had not been in the ring since his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride, and his performance reflected the challenges of age and prolonged inactivity.
From the start, it was evident Tyson no longer possessed the stamina required for a competitive bout. While he retained flashes of his legendary power, his limited endurance became apparent. Observers agreed Tyson’s only chance at victory was an early knockout, but despite landing a solid right hand in the first round, it was Paul who took control.
The 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer landed clean jabs and stunned Tyson with a left hand in the third round. Sporting what were reportedly the world’s most expensive shorts, Paul peppered his opponent, who was 31 years his senior.
Tyson, donning a black brace on his right knee, occasionally showcased glimpses of his former defensive skills, dodging punches with brief flashes of head movement. However, his missed lunge in the fifth round, where a hook landed nearly a foot off target, underscored the stark difference age had made.
The seventh round saw Tyson absorb a damaging left hook to the temple, further tilting the match in Paul’s favor. By then, the crowd seemed more eager for the final bell than for any dramatic comeback from the aging legend.
This bout, while another addition to Paul’s growing boxing record, has left many questioning whether such mismatches are good for the sport’s integrity. For Tyson, the fight was a testament to his enduring spirit, but also a reminder of how time can humble even the greatest athletes.
Underwhelming fight, lavish spectacle
While the much-hyped fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson may have disappointed purists, it delivered a grand spectacle for fans and Netflix’s 283 million global subscribers. Despite the lackluster action in the ring, the event showcased boxing’s ability to merge sport with entertainment on an unprecedented scale.
With Jake Paul reportedly earning £30 million and Tyson half as much, the organizers spared no expense. Paul’s entrance was a showstopper, arriving in a custom green car to the iconic tune of Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight. Beside him sat his brother, WWE star Logan Paul, while a pigeon—a nod to Tyson’s love for racing pigeons—perched in the back seat as a quirky attempted gift for the boxing legend.
The 70,000 fans in attendance at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium remained on their feet, creating a deafening roar as Tyson made his entrance in his signature all-black attire, wearing the same determined expression he had maintained throughout fight week.
The financial scale of the event was staggering. Over £14.1 million was earned from ticket sales alone, with one VIP ringside package—complete with fighter photographs—priced at a jaw-dropping £1.6 million.
Boxing royalty, including Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., and Andre Ward, participated in the broadcast, while stars like Shaquille O’Neal and Netflix celebrities from shows like Cobra Kai watched ringside.
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Despite the tepid bout, the night proved boxing’s enduring ability to captivate audiences through sheer spectacle, even when the action inside the ring falls short of expectations.
Is this the final chapter for Mike Tyson in the boxing ring?
Jake Paul’s post-fight claim that he could take on Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez seems far-fetched, especially after going the full distance with a 58-year-old Mike Tyson—whose prime was over three decades ago.
For Tyson, the allure of the spotlight and the multimillion-dollar payday likely played significant roles in his return to the ring. While his intentions may have been fueled by nostalgia or the thrill of competition, the fight underscored the physical toll of age and the risks involved for former champions.
As fans reflect on Tyson’s legendary career, many hope this bout will serve as his final foray into the ring. For his safety and to set a precedent for other retired fighters, perhaps this moment can close the curtain on an unparalleled boxing legacy.
