In a highly anticipated bout, Jake Paul emerged victorious against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, winning via unanimous decision in Tyson’s first fight in 19 years. The eight-round fight, held at AT&T Stadium in Texas and streamed on Netflix, ended with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 in favor of Paul.
Fight Recap
The 27-year-old Paul used his youth and agility to outmaneuver the 58-year-old Tyson. In the opening round, Paul closed the distance quickly, landing jabs and retreating to avoid Tyson’s counterpunches. Despite his age, Tyson showed glimpses of his famed power, landing heavy body shots and engaging in clinches that drew boos from the crowd.
The second round saw more of Paul’s evasive tactics as he worked to avoid Tyson’s punches. By the third round, Paul’s confidence grew as he landed a series of left hooks, forcing a visibly slower Tyson to backpedal.
Midway through the fight, Tyson struggled to match Paul’s pace, with the YouTuber-turned-boxer landing clean combinations while Tyson’s punches lacked their trademark ferocity. Tyson managed to connect with a stiff overhand right in the fourth round, but his energy visibly waned as the fight progressed.
In the later rounds, Paul continued to dominate, outstriking Tyson and demonstrating his superior stamina. The sixth round saw Tyson briefly regain momentum, landing several strikes that sent Paul retreating. However, the final round showcased a tired Tyson, unable to unleash the power he was once known for. The two fighters embraced at the bell, acknowledging the mutual respect between them.
Post-Fight Reactions
Jake Paul admitted in the post-fight press conference that he approached the fight cautiously out of respect for Tyson.
“I wanted to give the fans a show but didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt,” Paul explained. “Mike wasn’t engaging as much as I’d hoped, and it was clear his age played a factor. I have immense respect for him.”
Paul also addressed the tensions that arose after Tyson slapped him during their chaotic weigh-in face-off. “At first, I wanted to take him down and knock him out, but that aggression faded as the fight went on,” he admitted.
The fight marked a significant moment in boxing history, pitting a YouTube star against a legendary fighter. While Tyson’s return to the ring was met with enthusiasm, his performance underscored the challenges of competing at the highest level after nearly two decades away.
