Victor M. Fallas III
Staff Writer
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul faced boxing legend Mike Tyson on Friday night in a highly anticipated bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where a crowd of 72,300 spectators watched. This event marked another milestone in Paul’s boxing career, as he secured a unanimous decision victory, solidifying his place in the sport.
Originally scheduled for July, the fight had been postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up. When it finally took place, Paul controlled the match, with all three judges scoring in his favor: 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
Tyson, 58, had not fought professionally in 19 years and seemed unable to replicate the explosive movements that once made him a heavyweight legend. Despite landing a few strong punches in the third round, Tyson’s stamina and reflexes were noticeably lacking, with his legs weakening as the rounds wore on. Roy Jones Jr., Tyson’s last opponent in a 2020 exhibition match, commented on Tyson’s lack of movement, saying, “I don’t like Mike’s legs at all” during the broadcast.
Though Paul faced some early challenges, he quickly took control of the fight. He landed effective jabs and combinations, wearing Tyson down as his movements became more sluggish. Paul pressured Tyson throughout the fight, landing shots that seemed to hurt the former champion. Tyson showed brief bursts of energy but couldn’t mount a sustained challenge.
Paul’s win extended his professional record to 11-1, with seven knockouts, and made him the sixth fighter to defeat Tyson in his long career.
After the match, Paul spoke humbly about Tyson, referring to him as the greatest of all time.
“It’s such an honor to fight Mike Tyson,” Paul said. “He’s the G.O.A.T. I look up to him, I’m inspired by him, and we wouldn’t be here today without him.”
The respectful comment contrasted with his usual approach of calling out former athletes and combat sports veterans for matches.
Tyson, who last fought professionally in 2005, reflected on the outcome, saying, “I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I’m not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.” Despite the loss, Tyson’s legacy in boxing remains unscathed.
For Jake Paul, this victory added another achievement to his boxing resume. His career began in 2020 with a win over fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib, and he has since garnered attention for taking on former professional athletes such as NBA star Nate Robinson, MMA veterans Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and most recently, retired fighter Mike Perry. His only loss came in February 2023 against Tommy Fury, the brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. A victory over Tyson further fuels speculation about Paul’s boxing future and who he might fight next.
Netflix’s live broadcast of the event, however, faced significant technical difficulties. Viewers reported buffering, trouble loading the fight, and sound malfunctions during key moments. One major issue occurred during an interview with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose microphone failed. DownDetector logged 90,000 complaints during the lead-up to the fight, with Paul joking, “Over 120 million people on Netflix. We crashed the site.” Despite these issues, the event was a significant milestone for Netflix, which will continue to broadcast live events, including NFL games and WWE’s “Raw” in the future.
In the co-main event, Katie Taylor defeated Amanda Serrano by unanimous decision in a rematch that left many questioning the judges’ decision. Serrano outlanded Taylor with punches but lost after Taylor was awarded the victory despite several headbutts. The controversial result sparked outrage, with Serrano calling Taylor a “dirty fighter” after the bout.
While the technical issues during the live broadcast were a notable setback, the event was a significant chapter in Jake Paul’s boxing career. His win over Tyson continues to draw attention, and as he looks ahead, many wonder what’s next for the controversial figure in the boxing world.