Mike Tyson’s highly anticipated return to the ring ended in a one-sided defeat on Friday night, as YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul dominated the 58-year-old heavyweight icon in an eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tyson struggled to make an impact, landing just a handful of punches throughout the fight. Paul, 27, showcased superior speed and movement, cruising to victory by unanimous decision with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 on all three judges’ cards.
Despite Tyson’s reputation as one of the greatest heavyweights in history, the fight highlighted the gulf in skill and conditioning between the two. Paul, who had promised a knockout during Thursday’s tense weigh-in—where Tyson slapped him across the face—failed to deliver the finish but controlled the action from start to finish. The third round saw Tyson rocked by a flurry of punches, as Paul maintained a relentless pace.
In contrast, Tyson, who has not fought professionally since 2005, appeared noticeably slower and was unable to mount any sustained offense. His limited output was reflected in the statistics, with Tyson landing only 18 of 97 punches thrown, while Paul connected on 78 of 278.
The fight, watched by 70,000 live spectators and millions more globally, saw Paul’s dominance continue as the final bell approached. In a show of respect, Paul bowed to Tyson in the final seconds of the eighth round before embracing him in the center of the ring.
“First and foremost, Mike Tyson, it’s such an honor,” Paul said afterward. “Let’s give it up for Mike. He’s the greatest to ever do it. He’s the GOAT, he’s a legend. I’m inspired by him, and we wouldn’t be here today without him.”
Tyson, for his part, seemed at peace with his performance despite the lopsided result. “I came to fight,” he said. “I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself… I’m just happy with what I can do.” Tyson, who had fought with a knee brace, said the injury had not hindered his performance. “I can’t use that as an excuse. If I did, I wouldn’t be in here.”
The former undisputed heavyweight champion praised Paul’s abilities, acknowledging the YouTuber-turned-boxer as a legitimate opponent. “He’s a very good fighter,” Tyson said. When asked if he might fight again, Tyson left the door open, replying, “I don’t know. It depends on the situation.” When pressed further, he added, “I don’t think so.”
Tyson reportedly earned $20 million for the contest, which marked his first fight in nearly two decades. His return to the ring had been met with widespread skepticism in the boxing world, with critics calling the fight a dangerous spectacle. Those concerns intensified when Tyson was forced to delay the fight after suffering a medical scare earlier in the year.
Despite the criticism, Tyson dismissed the concerns as jealousy, insisting that his ability to still draw major attention was a testament to his lasting appeal as a global icon. His entrance to the arena, dressed in his signature black trunks and poncho, attempted to recall the days when he was one of boxing’s most feared fighters. However, in the ring, it was clear that the decades had taken their toll, as Paul comfortably kept him at bay throughout the contest.
As for Paul, the victory further solidified his unorthodox but lucrative transition from YouTube stardom to the boxing ring.
AFP
