Jake Paul defeated ed 58-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson, securing a unanimous decision victory in an eight-round spectacle Friday night at AT&T Stadium.
In a fight that blended nostalgia with novelty, Jake Paul defeated boxing legend Mike Tyson via unanimous decision Friday night at AT&T Stadium. The highly anticipated bout marked Tyson’s return to the ring after nearly two decades, but the 58-year-old struggled to match the energy and pace of the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-prizefighter.
The judges scored the eight-round, two-minute-per-round contest 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73, all in favor of Paul. While Tyson’s entrance to “Murdagram” by Ja Rule, Jay-Z, and DMX electrified the crowd, his in-ring performance showed the inevitable toll of age. Paul dominated the fight with a steady jab and lateral movement, landing 78 of 278 punches compared to Tyson’s 18 of 97.
“I didn’t prove anything to anyone but myself,” Tyson said post-fight. “I’m happy with what I can do at this stage of my life.”
Paul, who entered the arena in a green car with his brother Logan Paul and a caged pigeon in the backseat—a playful jab at Tyson’s role in *The Hangover*—paid tribute to the former heavyweight champion after the fight. “He’s a legend, the greatest to ever do it. None of us would be here without him,” Paul said.
Despite his best efforts, Tyson, wearing a knee brace and visibly fatigued by the third round, struggled to mount an offense. The once-ferocious knockout artist was reduced to sporadic bursts of energy that drew cheers from the crowd but lacked the power to trouble his younger opponent.
Paul, now 11-1 with 7 KOs, showcased improved skills but admitted he fought cautiously. “I was scared he was going to hurt me,” Paul said. “I did my best to respect him while trying to win.”
The event, streamed live on Netflix as its debut in sports broadcasting, drew a star-studded audience, including Shaquille O’Neal, Evander Holyfield, Charlize Theron, and Joe Jonas.
Tyson declined to commit to retirement, teasing the possibility of fighting Logan Paul. “Maybe I’ll fight his brother,” Tyson said, prompting Logan to fire back, “I’ll kill you, Mike.”
As for Jake Paul, he has set his sights high, calling out boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. While a fight with Canelo remains unlikely, Paul has proven he can turn seemingly improbable matchups into reality.
For Tyson, this bout might not have been the fairy-tale return fans hoped for, but his resilience and iconic status ensured it was a night to remember.
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