Mike Tyson’s highly anticipated return to the ring ended in a lopsided defeat on Friday night, as YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul cruised to a unanimous decision victory over the former heavyweight champion in Texas.
The 58-year-old Tyson, who once ruled the heavyweight division, struggled throughout the eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Paul, 27, dominated the fight from start to finish, with all three judges scoring it decisively in his favor: 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
Paul’s speed, agility, and superior movement were on full display as he controlled the action, leaving the aging Tyson unable to mount any serious offense.
Tyson found himself in trouble in the third round after a barrage of punches from Paul, though the younger fighter was unable to land the knockout he had promised during an intense weigh-in just a day earlier, where Tyson slapped him across the face.
Tyson’s performance showed the toll of age, as he struggled to connect with his shots, landing only a handful of meaningful punches.
The fight, watched by a crowd of around 70,000 at the stadium and millions more around the world, saw Tyson land just 18 of 97 punches, while Paul threw 278 punches, landing 78.
As the final seconds of the eighth round ticked away, Paul even took a moment to bow in respect to Tyson before the bell sounded, sealing a dominant victory and capping off a one-sided affair.
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“First and foremost, Mike Tyson, it’s such an honor. Let’s give it up for Mike,” Paul said after embracing Tyson following his win.
“He’s the greatest to ever do it. He’s the GOAT, he’s a legend. I’m inspired by him and we wouldn’t be here today without him.
“This man is an icon and it’s just an honor to be able to fight him. He’s obviously the toughest, baddest man on the planet; it was really tough like I expected it to be.”
Tyson, meanwhile, said he was satisfied with his performance despite the one-sided nature of the defeat.
“I came to fight,” he said. “I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself… I’m just happy with what I can do.”
Tyson had fought with a brace on his right knee but said it had not impacted his performance.
“I can’t use that as an excuse. If I did I wouldn’t be in here,” he said.
Tyson, in the meantime, commended the skill of his opponent Paul, who has effectively transformed his career as a popular YouTuber and content creator into a series of profitable boxing bouts, including Friday’s event, which was backed and broadcast by the streaming giant Netflix.
“He’s a very good fighter,” said Tyson, who refused to rule out the possibility that he might even fight again.
“I don’t know. It depends on the situation,” said Tyson. Pressed on whether Friday was his last fight he added: “I don’t think so.”
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Tyson was reportedly paid $20 million to participate in Friday’s bout, which marked his first professional fight in 19 years, following his 2005 loss to Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
His return to the ring was met with widespread skepticism and concern across the boxing community, many of whom viewed the match as a grim spectacle that could endanger the health of the former heavyweight champion.
These fears intensified in May when the fight, originally scheduled for July, was delayed after Tyson suffered a medical scare on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. He later revealed that he had vomited blood due to an “ulcer flare-up.”
Despite the mounting worries over his health, Tyson dismissed the criticism, suggesting that his detractors were simply envious of his enduring popularity and status as a box-office draw, even decades after his dominance in the 1980s when he ruled the heavyweight division.
During his ring walk on Friday, Tyson attempted to evoke his past glory, entering the arena wearing his iconic black trunks and a black poncho draped over his shoulders.
However, that was as close as Tyson came to resembling the fighter he once was. Throughout the bout, Jake Paul kept him at a distance, easily controlling the action and winning comfortably.
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