JAKE Paul claimed a unanimous decision victory over 58-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson on Friday night in a much-hyped showdown that ultimately fell short of expectations.
The bout, held at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, pitted the young YouTuber-turned-boxer against the former heavyweight champion in his first sanctioned fight in nearly two decades.
Despite the tension leading up to the fight, mutual respect prevailed in the ring. Paul even bowed in homage to Tyson before the final bell, signaling a rare moment of sportsmanship.
The judges’ scorecards reflected a decisive win for Paul. One judge scored the bout 80-72, while the other two gave Paul a 79-73 advantage, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
Tyson started aggressively, charging at Paul with a flurry of punches in the opening seconds.
However, his activity dwindled as the fight progressed. The shorter, two-minute rounds did little to reignite Tyson’s energy or create significant action.
Paul, though more active than his opponent, struggled with precision, often throwing wild and inefficient punches.
Tyson, on the other hand, relied heavily on counterpunching and remained largely on the defensive, waiting for Paul to initiate exchanges.
The lackluster fight stood in stark contrast to the co-main event, where Katie Taylor successfully defended her undisputed super lightweight title in a thrilling slugfest against Amanda Serrano.
This marked Tyson’s first sanctioned fight since 2005, while Paul, who began his boxing career just over four years ago, continues to pursue his dream of competing for professional championships.
The match had initially been scheduled for July 20 but was postponed after Tyson suffered a stomach ulcer while traveling. (With AP)