By Shanay Nijjar
On Friday 15th November, Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson in a closely watched boxing match in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Millions around the world tuned into the fight. The mega event was streamed live on Netflix, highlighting the massive global appeal. The event marked a milestone for Netflix as it entered the realm of live sports and was described by Netflix as a “record breaking night”. However, the live stream faced several technical issues such as lagging and sound problems before and during the match, reflecting the need for more development in the technology. Nevertheless, the night was still set to be full of entertainment and suspense. Many assumed that professional boxer Mike Tyson would simply use his decades of experience to defeat newcomer Jake Paul, but this was not the case.
Mike Tyson, aged 58, came out of retirement to fight 27 year old (former Disney star and youtuber-turned boxer) Jake Paul. Tyson brought decades of experience to the ring having previously claimed the title of “heavyweight champion of the world”, as well as several nicknames such as “the Baddest Man on the Planet” and “Iron Mike.” While Jake Paul only decided to become a boxer in 2020, he had been intensely training in preparation for the fight, continuously sharing his progress online.
It was originally decided that the two fighters would go head to head on July 20th 2024, however, the match was postponed due to Tyson being treated for a stomach ulcer and advised by doctors not to fight. Despite the health scare, Tyson soon recovered and began training again, for what he hoped was to be a glorious return to the ring.
As the long countdown to the fight reached its final days, the atmosphere amongst fans was electric with a mixture of both excitement and disbelief. Many Tyson fans, who had grown up watching the legend in action, were sceptical and intrigued by the fight. Many were unsure of what this clash of generations would result in. Meanwhile, younger fans, drawn in through Paul’s social media posts, were filled with excitement. It was to be a match that defied expectations, and brought about two unlikely opponents in a fight for pride and dominance.
However, fans felt disappointed after watching the match play out, with some members leaving the stadium before the match ended and others booing once the match had ended. What was set to be the most gripping match of the century ended up a lacklustre affair. Many fans and boxing professionals criticised the match online, arguing that the fight was unfair for Tyson (who is more than three decades older than Paul) who lacked the speed and stamina he once possessed, hence making the fight more one-sided than a genuine competition. Celebrity KSI condemned the match online, describing it as “elderly abuse” along with many others who voiced their opinions on the unfairness.
But what actually happened in the match to cause such an uproar? The match itself consisted of eight, two-minute rounds. The bout was described by fans as “a pillow fight” as well as lacking in action. The fight ended with a unanimous decision by the judges that Jake Paul was the victor of the match with a score of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.
A report from the BBC shows how many punches were landed by each fighter. Here is a chart showing the results:
This chart aims to highlight the inherent unfairness of the fight. Paul’s faster pace and quicker reflexes allowed him to easily beat Tyson, who despite his legendary status, struggled to keep up. This also shows how the generational difference left Tyson disadvantaged from the start.
Both fighters were interviewed at the post-match press conference. During the conference, Jake Paul admitted that he “didn’t want to hurt” Mike Tyson. According to NBC news, Jake Paul stated “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” as well as sharing some ambitions for his career in the ring. According to the BBC, after Friday’s fight Tyson shared more about his health scare. Despite his defeat, he was proud of his determination, “I almost died in June. Had eight blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight, so I won.” Tyson was also seen congratulating Jake Paul on his victory.
But what about the big question… What does the fight mean for both fighter’s futures? When asked by the press whether he would ever fight again, Tyson replied “I don’t know” and went on to say he may fight Jake Paul’s brother Logan. Many fans hoped that this was just a joke. Fans had marvelled at Tyson during his prime and they do not wish to see him cause any more harm to himself. Jake Paul on the other hand is determined to continue boxing, having emerged from the match with approximately $40,000,000. He says that he believes he can fight for a championship belt within two years, along with many other extraordinary ambitions for the future.
Despite its controversy and underwhelming performance, the Paul VS Tyson match has sparked widespread discussion, and may have ultimately promoted the sport of boxing. While the fight was criticised by many for the unfair age gap and lack of excitement, the match has helped attract both traditional fans and a younger, social media driven audience. Even though the match may have been controversially different to a usual boxing match, it has certainly brought attention to the sport – possibly opening the door for bigger attention, grabbing matches in the future.