Boxing results: Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson by decision
- Paul wins unanimous decision by two scores of 79-73 and a 80-72
- Former world champ unable to land telling blows on YouTuber
Jake Paul, a 27-year-old social media personality, faced off against a 58-year-old man with a significant history of health issues, both physical and mental, in a boxing match late on Friday night. The decisive victory by points over Mike Tyson was intended to lend Paul a degree of legitimacy in the harsh realm of boxing. However, this outcome ultimately held little significance.
Tyson, a former world champion who instilled both awe and fear as he dominated the heavyweight division in the mid-to-late 1980s, was now grappling with the aftermath of years of substance abuse, excessive drinking, and recent health complications, including a bleeding stomach ulcer and acute sciatica. Just two years prior, Tyson was in such severe pain that he required a wheelchair, and in May, he experienced a significant health scare that led to the postponement of his bout with Paul. He now appeared to be suffering from a troubling right knee condition as well. This was the individual Paul faced in a disheartening match. The fight was shortened to eight rounds, each lasting only two minutes, which provided a slight relief. Paul emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, with scores of 79-73 and a shutout of 80-72.
The nearly sold-out audience at AT&T Stadium initially rallied passionately behind Tyson. Approximately ninety minutes before the fighters entered the ring, footage of Paul’s arrival was met with a subdued response. In contrast, Tyson’s slow walk to his locker room, adorned in a jacket featuring his iconic boxing nickname, “Iron Mike,” elicited a powerful and emotional cheer from the crowd.
Jake Paul and his brother Logan opted for a customized Chevy low-rider to make their entrance, eschewing the traditional fighter’s walk accompanied by a classic Phil Collins song. Tyson, on the other hand, made a somber and deliberate approach, dressed in a stark black top to evoke the intimidating presence he once commanded. This moment marked the peak of a long and challenging evening for the once-mighty Tyson.
Tyson entered the ring with a slight sense of purpose, quickly connecting with a left hook and a glancing right that caught the retreating Paul. He managed to evade several wild punches, but soon found himself on the receiving end of a sharper right to the head. It became evident that any lingering hope of Tyson recapturing his once-renowned ferocity was nothing more than a distant dream. As the two-minute round concluded, Tyson, who was wearing a brace on his injured knee, struggled to close the gap between himself and the evasive Paul.
The second round was characterized by lackluster exchanges, with Tyson appearing devoid of genuine intent while Paul landed several effective punches. However, the former world champion soon found himself in jeopardy, as a barrage of left hands sent him reeling. In his prime, Tyson would have easily evaded such predictable strikes, countering with precision and punishing an inexperienced opponent for their boldness. Yet, the speed and tactical acumen that once defined Tyson had faded, and he absorbed the blows with a grim acceptance.
Paul navigated the subsequent rounds with apparent ease, winning them with minimal exertion. If he indeed earned $40 million, it likely felt less challenging than some of the teenage YouTube antics that initially brought him fame and fortune.
A subdued, almost resigned atmosphere enveloped the stadium, contrasting sharply with the intense engagement the audience had experienced during the remarkable bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. The two women exemplified the essence of elite boxing, while Paul and Tyson trudged through their uninspired display of combat.
Booing echoed in the final two rounds, signaling the crowd’s acceptance of the harsh reality that this had never been a legitimate contest. Many spectators began to leave before the anticipated scorecards were announced.
Tyson had already contextualized the outcome, along with the drawn-out and absurd hype surrounding the event, the night before. During an interview with Jazlyn Guerra, a 14-year-old social media influencer known as Jazzy’s World TV, Tyson sharply dismissed both the fight and his own legacy. His remarks carried a somber tone, mocking the idea of competing against a YouTuber. Guerra, who appeared to be a poised young woman, initially expressed her excitement for the match after the weigh-in on Thursday night. She remarked that it would be “a monumental opportunity for kids my age to witness the legendary Mike Tyson in the ring for the first time. After such a successful career, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?”
Tyson took a moment to reflect. While it was a fair question, he opted to share a stark reality. “Well, I don’t believe in the word ‘legacy’,” Tyson stated. “To me, it’s just another term for ‘ego’. Legacy holds no significance for me. I’m merely passing through. I will die, and that will be the end. Who cares about legacy after that? We are nothing. We become dust.”
Guerra, showing commendable poise, responded, “Thank you for sharing that. It’s a perspective I haven’t encountered before.”
Tyson continued, “Can you truly envision someone saying they want their legacy to be this or that?” he asked candidly. “You’re dead. What audacity it is to desire that people think of me once I’m gone? Who cares?”
