In front of 70,000 fans in Texas and millions streaming worldwide on Netflix, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul secured a lacklustre points victory over boxing legend Mike Tyson.
The event, heavily criticised by boxing purists, left many questioning its place in the sport, with boos heard ringing throughout the arena during and after the fight.
At 58 years old and 19 years since his last professional fight, Tyson’s performance was far from the dominant force fans remember.
Despite the thunderous applause during his entrance, the fight revealed a man clearly past his prime.
Tyson managed only 18 punches during the eight two-minute rounds, while Paul connected with 78, keeping his legendary opponent at bay with youthful agility and well-timed jabs.
Paul, 27, won the fight 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 in his favour. While Paul rarely appeared to pursue a knockout, he controlled the pace and rhythm throughout.
In a surprising turn, Tyson, now with a record of seven professional losses, expressed interest in facing Paul’s brother, Logan, and hinted at returning to the ring again.
Jake Paul beats Mike Tyson by unanimous decision 🥊#PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/IZEySi4BE0
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 16, 2024
Reflecting on his readiness, Tyson said he “came to fight,” but many spectators felt the match exposed a stark mismatch in age and capability.
The fight’s promotional extravagance certainly overshadowed its sporting value.
Paul arrived in style, entering the ring in a custom green car to the tune of Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’.
The event generated significant revenue, with ticket sales alone exceeding £14.1 million. VIP experiences, including ringside seats and photos with the fighters, fetched as much as £1.6 million.
For Tyson, this venture may have been motivated by a mix of nostalgia and financial incentive.
Yet, his limited performance highlights the dangers of such comebacks, especially for ageing fighters.
Paul, now 11-1, continues his journey in boxing, undeterred by criticism.
The fight, while controversial, exemplified his ability to turn spectacle into profit, albeit at the expense of boxing tradition.
