ARLINGTON, Texas - The highly anticipated boxing match between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson left fans more disappointed than fulfilled as Paul emerged victorious with an eight-round unanimous decision.
The fight took place on November 15, 2024, at The Pavilion at AT&T Stadium, where approximately 72,000 spectators gathered to witness what was expected to be the clash of generations.
But as the final round approached, audible boos reverberated throughout the arena from fans longing for more than what they had witnessed. Paul graciously dropped his gloves and bowed to the 58-year-old Tyson, showing respect to one of the sport’s legends, yet the gesture did little to ameliorate the crowd's disappointment.
From the very start, the bout was overshadowed by questions surrounding its legitimacy and ability to deliver the action fans had been promised. With one judge scoring the match 80-72 and the others at 79-73, it was clear the fight was not nearly as close as fans would have hoped.
Reflecting on the match afterward, Paul expressed his admiration for Tyson, stating, “Let’s give it up for Mike. He’s the greatest to ever do it. I look up to him. I’m inspired by him.” Yet, Tyson’s performance was lackluster. After some initial aggression, he mostly allowed Paul to lead the fight, rarely mounting any serious attack of his own.
“I was trying to hurt him a little bit,” said Paul, who improved his record to 11-1 after the fight, “but I was scared he was going to hurt me. I was trying to hurt him. I did my best.” His anxiety stemmed from Tyson's legendary reputation, reminding fans of the boxer’s formidable past.
Despite the shorter rounds—two minutes instead of the traditional three—and the use of heavier gloves meant to dull punches, the energy in the ring failed to ignite. While Paul had his moments of aggression, it resulted in plenty of wild swings and misses, creating more frustration than excitement among spectators.
Tyson, who hadn't fought since his exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. back in 2020, seemed to show his age, as his few jabs did little to invigorate the slow-paced bout. Paul admitted to easing up on his offense once he perceived Tyson's fatigue, stating, “I didn’t want to hurt somebody who didn’t need to be hurt.”
The high-stakes event was originally scheduled for July but was delayed due to Tyson suffering from health complications. Official reports indicate Tyson’s payday was $20 million, significantly less compared to Paul’s $40 million, which he had touted during promotional events leading up to the match.
During the lead-up to the bout, the fighters exchanged their fair share of barbs, with Tyson infamously slapping Paul at the weigh-in. This animosity, it seemed, fizzled out as the bout progressed, leaving behind more confusion than clarity. “I have so much respect for him,” Paul remarked post-fight, indicating the intensity had dissipated throughout the rounds.
“I am happy with what I can do,” Tyson stated upon the completion of the match, leaving many pondering whether the fight merely served as personal fulfillment for the former champion rather than entertainment for the audience.
Despite the disappointing showing, the event did make its mark, breaking Texas records for combat sports with nearly $18 million at the gate. The fight was also Netflix’s first live combat sports event, leading to service disruptions, much to the frustration of its subscribers.
Among notable attendees were sports legends Shaquille O’Neal and Rob Gronkowski. The audience’s excitement had drawn celebrities but was met with underwhelming performance as Paul and Tyson squared off.
While Paul and Tyson were the main event, the co-main fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano garnered significant attention, as Taylor retained her undisputed super lightweight championship title through another contentious decision.
Even Mario Barrios, who retained his WBC welterweight title with Abel Ramos resulting in a draw—marked by intense competitive spirit—was overshadowed by the Paul-Tyson bout.
Tyson's career record now stands at 50 wins, 7 losses, and 44 knockouts. Meanwhile, as Paul issued mixed messages about his own performance, there remains significant interest and conflict surrounding his future matches.
This bout served as another chapter in the outlandish world of celebrity boxing, where hype often overshadows reality. While fans and critics alike might question the validity of these matches involving big-name celebrities, one thing is for sure; they continue to generate revenue and intrigue, for both good and bad.
