Photo Credit: Timothy A. Clary / AFP
On Friday night, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul claimed a decisive victory over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a highly-anticipated bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The 27-year-old Paul won by unanimous decision after eight rounds, dominating the 58-year-old Tyson on all three judges’ scorecards with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
From the opening bell, Paul displayed superior speed and movement, keeping Tyson at bay and landing consistent punches. The third round saw Paul unleash a flurry of blows, momentarily putting Tyson on the defensive. However, despite his aggressive approach, Paul was unable to deliver the knockout punch he had promised during their heated pre-fight weigh-in, where Tyson slapped him in a moment of tension.
“Mike Tyson is one of the greatest to ever do it, and it was an honor to step into the ring with him,” Paul said after the fight. “He’s still tough, but tonight was my night.”
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For Tyson, who came out of retirement for this fight, it was a challenging return to the sport. The boxing icon landed only 18 out of 97 punches, struggling to keep up with Paul’s energy and precision. By contrast, Paul threw 278 punches and connected with 78.
Throughout the bout, Tyson appeared to show his age, with few significant punches and slower movement compared to his prime years. “I gave it my best, but the years don’t lie,” Tyson admitted after the fight. “He was faster, and I respect what he brought into the ring.”
The final moments of the eighth round saw Paul acknowledging Tyson’s legendary status, bowing respectfully as the clock ran out. Despite his loss, Tyson received cheers from the crowd for his courage and willingness to fight.