By Yusuf Mohammed
In a much-anticipated showdown, Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision victory over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, marking Tyson’s first fight in nearly two decades. The eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Texas, streamed live on Netflix, ended with judges scoring the contest 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 in favor of Paul.
At 27 years old, Paul relied on his youth and agility to outmaneuver the 58-year-old Tyson. The opening round saw Paul closing the distance quickly, landing jabs, and retreating to avoid Tyson’s counterattacks. Tyson, despite his age, showcased flashes of his legendary power with heavy body shots during clinches that drew boos from the crowd.
The second round continued in a similar pattern, with Paul evading Tyson’s punches while picking his moments to strike. By the third round, Paul gained confidence, landing a series of left hooks that pushed a visibly slower Tyson onto the defensive.
As the fight progressed, Tyson struggled to match Paul’s pace. In the fourth round, Tyson managed to land a stiff overhand right, but Paul’s cleaner combinations and superior stamina dominated the exchanges. The sixth round saw a brief resurgence from Tyson, who landed several strikes that forced Paul to retreat. However, the final round revealed an exhausted Tyson, whose punches lacked their once-feared power. The bout ended with a respectful embrace between the two fighters.
Speaking after the fight, Jake Paul admitted he approached the contest cautiously, out of respect for Tyson.
“I wanted to give the fans a show but didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt,” Paul said. “Mike wasn’t engaging as much as I’d hoped, and it was clear his age played a factor. I have immense respect for him.”
Paul also addressed the pre-fight tensions, including Tyson slapping him during their heated weigh-in. “Initially, I wanted to knock him out, but as the fight went on, that aggression faded,” Paul revealed.
The fight brought together two fighters from vastly different eras, with Paul representing the new wave of influencer boxing and Tyson embodying the sport’s storied past. While Tyson’s return captivated fans, it also highlighted the physical challenges of competing at an elite level after a 19-year hiatus.
