Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson in Tedious Points Victory, Staining Boxing Legacy

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, delivered a lackluster victory over two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in front of 70,000 frustrated fans in Texas, and millions more watching on Netflix.

The bout, which many critics questioned from the outset, ended in an uninspiring points win for the 27-year-old Paul, who dominated the aging Tyson in an eight-round contest.

At 58, Tyson was a mere shadow of his former self, having not fought professionally in nearly two decades. Despite his legendary status, Tyson’s age and long layoff were glaringly evident as he struggled to keep up with the younger, more athletic Paul, who was able to control the pace from the outset.

Paul, a relative novice in the sport, showcased his youth and mobility, keeping Tyson at arm’s length with jabs and precise punches. The fight, held in two-minute rounds, revealed Tyson’s sluggishness as he struggled to land clean shots.

The crowd, which had greeted Tyson with a hero’s welcome before the fight, turned against him as the contest wore on, with loud boos echoing toward the end. Some fans even left the arena before the judges’ scorecards were announced, with the final tally reading 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 in favor of Paul.

In a bizarre post-fight moment, Tyson, having suffered his seventh professional loss in 57 bouts, called out Paul’s brother Logan and hinted at a potential return to the ring himself.

The legitimacy of the fight had been under scrutiny leading up to the event, especially given Tyson’s long hiatus from boxing and his evident decline in physical condition. Both fighters wore heavier gloves than standard pro rules, a condition set by the Texas commission, which many now view as absurd, considering that no punches in the fight came close to a knockout.

In total, Tyson landed only 18 punches throughout the entire eight rounds, while Paul connected with 78. The mismatch was apparent to all, as Tyson’s power was no match for Paul’s youth and stamina.

Paul, who first gained fame with his social media antics and prank videos, celebrated his 11th professional win, despite a prior loss to Tommy Fury. After the fight, Paul reiterated his desire to face Mexican boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, claiming that Canelo “knows where the money is.”

For many, the result was no surprise, and it will undoubtedly fuel the critics who argue that the fight undermined the integrity of boxing. Tyson, who has been open about his struggles with motivation since his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride, clearly showed the toll of time and inactivity. Early on, it was apparent that Tyson’s best chance of victory would have been an early knockout, but as the rounds passed, it became clear that age had caught up with the former champion.

By the third round, Paul had already wobbled Tyson with a left hook, and by the fifth, Tyson’s movement had become even more cumbersome, with missed hooks and slow footwork. In the seventh round, Paul landed a left hook to Tyson’s temple, prompting many in the crowd to eagerly await the final bell.

The fight ended with Tyson looking worn and exhausted, while Paul, despite his lack of experience, looked dominant and in control throughout.