In a shocking turn of events, social media star Jake Paul triumphed over legendary boxer Mike Tyson in a fight that defied expectations and left fans stunned. The much-anticipated bout took place on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in front of over 70,000 spectators and was broadcast live on Netflix.
Paul, 27, entered the ring as the favorite, though few could have predicted the scale of his dominance. Tyson, the 58-year-old former world heavyweight champion, was making his first professional fight since 2005. It was a spectacle that left the world wondering: could the young, brash Paul really defeat one of boxing’s most iconic figures?
The fight ended in a unanimous decision victory for Paul, with all three judges scoring the fight in his favour—80-72, 79-73, and 79-73. The result was a blow to Tyson’s legacy, dropping his career record to 50-7, while Paul improved to 11-1.
“I told you he was one of the greatest,” Paul said after the fight, reflecting on Tyson’s legendary career. “But tonight, I showed what I’m made of.”
Despite Tyson’s aggressive start in the opening round, it was clear that age had caught up with the former champ. He struggled to land any significant punches, with his offensive output dwindling after the early rounds. Paul, on the other hand, demonstrated his superior speed and technique, landing jabs and hooks with ease, while Tyson failed to make much impact.
It was a difficult night for Tyson, who was visibly slower and less powerful than his prime years, though he remained resilient. At the post-fight interview, Tyson was asked if this defeat marked the end of his boxing career. He responded uncertainly, “I don’t think so. Maybe the brother (Logan Paul),” hinting at a potential future fight with Jake’s older sibling, Logan Paul.
As for Jake Paul, the win marks the pinnacle of his boxing journey, which began just a few years ago. Since his professional debut in 2020, Paul has amassed an impressive record, with notable victories over former UFC stars such as Ben Askren, Anderson Silva, and Tyron Woodley. His only loss came in a split decision to Tommy Fury, the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, earlier this year.
“I’m ready for anyone. Everyone’s next on the list,” Paul boldly declared after his win, signaling his intention to continue climbing the ranks of professional boxing.
The fight was not without drama, with a memorable moment occurring during the weigh-in the day before. Tyson slapped Paul in the face, setting the stage for what would be a high-energy and highly anticipated showdown. The atmosphere at AT&T Stadium was electric, with the crowd buzzing in anticipation of what was to come.
Though Paul’s boxing career is still in its early stages, this victory against Tyson solidifies his place as one of the sport’s most intriguing figures. His rise has been meteoric, fueled by his fame on social media platforms, where he has built a massive following—27 million Instagram followers and nearly 21 million YouTube subscribers.
For Tyson, the fight marked a sad end to a legendary career that had once seen him dominate the heavyweight division. Known for his ferocious power and fearsome presence in the ring, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20. His early career was marked by 19 consecutive wins, 12 of which were first-round knockouts. Tyson was virtually untouchable during his prime, with victories over the likes of Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. However, his career took a sharp turn after his shocking loss to Buster Douglas in 1990, which many regard as the greatest upset in boxing history.
Tyson’s subsequent years were filled with ups and downs, including legal troubles and a return to the ring that never fully recaptured his former glory. Despite a career that saw him go 13-5 with two no contests after the loss to Douglas, Tyson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.
The co-main event of the night saw Katie Taylor emerge victorious against Amanda Serrano in a rematch of their epic first meeting. Taylor defeated Serrano via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 95-94 in her favor. The bout, which saw an astounding 324 punches landed, was another thrilling display of boxing skill, further highlighting the remarkable action-packed night.
