In a night that rocked the boxing and entertainment world, Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, secured a unanimous decision victory over legendary heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The fight, held at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, drew a massive crowd of 72,300 fans eager to witness the clash of generations.
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(Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) |
- Paul’s Dominant Performance
Paul showcased his skill and control throughout the bout, earning the nod from all three judges with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73. This decisive victory solidifies Paul’s record at 11-1, with seven knockouts to his name, and marks him as only the sixth fighter in history to defeat the Hall of Famer.
Post-Fight Respect
Despite his victory, Paul paid tribute to Tyson, calling him “the G.O.A.T.” and expressing his admiration for the boxing icon. “It’s such an honor,” Paul said in a heartfelt moment following the fight. “We wouldn’t be here today without him. This man is an icon.”
What’s Next for Jake Paul?
With this monumental win, Paul continues to silence critics who questioned his transition from social media stardom to professional boxing. The question now is: who’s next for the Problem Child? Fans and analysts alike are speculating whether Paul will take on another legendary name or focus on facing active contenders in his weight class.
- Paul Outmaneuvers Tyson in Tactical Showdown
The fight started on a cautious note, with Jake Paul and Mike Tyson spending the opening rounds sizing each other up. However, the action picked up in the third round when the 58-year-old Tyson, stepping into the professional ring for the first time in 19 years, unleashed his trademark aggression. Lunging forward with powerful punches, he managed to clip Paul early, momentarily putting the YouTuber-turned-boxer on the back foot.
Paul, however, quickly recovered and delivered a counteroffensive, landing precise combinations that appeared to stagger the boxing legend. As the match progressed, Tyson began to show signs of fatigue, his once-explosive movements dulled by age and time away from the ring. Gone were the signature dips, slips, and devastating haymakers that earned him 44 career knockouts.
Commentating from ringside, Roy Jones Jr., Tyson’s last exhibition opponent, noted the decline in Tyson’s physicality. “I don’t like Mike’s legs. I don’t like Mike’s legs at all,” Jones remarked, referencing Tyson’s lack of mobility.
Paul capitalized on his opponent’s stationary stance, effectively using his jabs and calculated combinations to take control of the fight. While Tyson showed occasional bursts of energy in the later rounds, he struggled to pose a significant threat, allowing Paul to dominate the bout.
The fight, originally slated for July, had been postponed after Tyson experienced a health scare due to an ulcer flare-up during a flight. Despite the delay, both fighters delivered a compelling spectacle for the crowd of over 72,000.
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(Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) |
- Tyson Reflects on the Fight; Paul’s Rise in Boxing Continues Amid Streaming Troubles
After the fight, Mike Tyson offered a candid reflection on his performance. When asked if he proved to the world that age wouldn’t stop him from going the distance, the 58-year-old legend responded, “I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I’m not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.”
Tyson, a household name for his brutal knockouts and victories over legends like Michael Spinks and Larry Holmes, hadn’t tasted professional victory since February 2003, when he defeated Clifford Etienne in a first-round knockout. His last in-ring appearance had been an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020, which ended in a draw.
For Jake Paul, Friday’s fight marked a milestone in an unconventional boxing journey that began with his YouTube fame. Paul’s professional debut came in January 2020, when he defeated fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib by TKO. Since then, he’s built a reputation by taking on and beating a variety of opponents, including retired athletes like Nate Robinson and MMA icons such as Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz.
Although Paul suffered a setback in February 2023, losing to Tommy Fury, he rebounded with decisive victories over retired UFC fighter Diaz, professional boxers Andre August and Ryan Borland, and bare-knuckle champion Mike Perry. The win over Tyson is now the crown jewel in his growing resume, further solidifying his status in the boxing world.
- Netflix’s Live Boxing Debut Hit with Streaming Issues
Friday night’s event wasn’t just about the fighters—it was also Netflix’s first foray into live boxing broadcasts, which included seven action-packed bouts. However, the streaming giant faced significant technical difficulties.
Fans flooded social media with complaints of buffering, lagging, and loading issues during the event. DownDetector reported that around 90,000 viewers experienced outages in the hour leading up to the main fight, casting a shadow over the historic event.
Despite the streaming hiccups, the night’s fights delivered excitement for both in-person attendees and viewers who managed to tune in without issue. Netflix’s growing interest in live sports could lead to further events, provided they address the technical challenges encountered this time around.
- Streaming Glitches Mar Netflix’s Big Boxing Debut, But Paul Declares Success
Fans took to social media to share their frustrations during Netflix’s first live boxing event, with many posting screenshots of frozen TV screens and spinning loading wheels. Some viewers reported needing to reload the app repeatedly just to watch the highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
Audio issues also plagued the broadcast. Notably, during an interview with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, viewers struggled to hear due to microphone problems. While Jones spoke with analysts, his microphone appeared to malfunction, leaving much of his commentary inaudible.
Netflix declined to address the technical issues publicly, but Jake Paul remained optimistic about the event’s reach. “This is the biggest event,” Paul said, referring to the streaming numbers. “Over 120 million people on Netflix. We crashed the site.”
Despite the hiccups, Netflix is pushing forward in its live sports offerings. Following the boxing match, the platform is set to stream two NFL games on Christmas Day as part of a three-season agreement with the league. Beginning in 2025, WWE’s weekly “Raw” show will also be featured on the service.
While the glitches drew criticism, the combination of high-profile fights and Netflix’s expansive audience signals a new era for the streaming platform as it ventures deeper into live sports.