Jake Paul, a well-known YouTuber and rising boxer, secured a major victory over the legendary Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round heavyweight bout held Friday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The three judges scored the fight in Paul’s favor with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73, demonstrating the younger boxer’s dominance.
The bout was sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and featured special rules, including 2-minute rounds and 14-ounce gloves instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves used in heavyweight fights.
A $40 Million Prize
The fight was broadcast on Netflix, drawing millions of viewers worldwide, with the prize money reaching $40 million.
While the idea of celebrity boxing matches has existed for decades, it was traditionally limited to charity events and short-lived novelty TV shows. The quality and intensity of such matches have varied widely, from an unexpectedly lively 2002 fight between UK comedians Ricky Gervais and Bob Mortimer to a lukewarm yet symbolic bout in 2015 between Senator Mitt Romney and five-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (famous for losing part of his ear to Tyson).
Why Do Celebrities and Former Pros Enter the Ring?
Jake Paul made his motivations clear: money. “I’m here to make $40 million and knock out a legend,” he stated during a press conference in August.
To put the staggering prize into perspective: undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk earned roughly $45 million from his recent fight against British boxer Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last May—a bout at the highest level of professional boxing.
Tyson’s Health and Comeback
The fight was initially scheduled for July 20 but was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues. The 58-year-old boxing legend suffered a peptic ulcer flare-up during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles in May, requiring medical attention. Nevertheless, Tyson made a strong comeback to the ring.
Tyson’s Legacy
Mike Tyson (50-7, 44 KOs) remains one of the greatest boxers of all time. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986. A year later, he unified the titles by claiming all three major belts. Tyson defended his titles six times before losing to James “Buster” Douglas via 10th-round knockout in one of boxing’s most historic upsets in 1990.
Jake Paul’s Rise
Jake Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) began his boxing career in 2020, winning his first six fights primarily against former MMA fighters. Despite his first defeat to Tommy Fury in February 2023, Paul has rebounded impressively with four consecutive wins, including his standout victory against Tyson.
This fight highlights Paul’s progress in boxing and his ability to compete at a high level, even against legendary opponents like Mike Tyson.
Tyson Open to Facing Logan Paul
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Mike Tyson left the door open for another fight. When asked if this was his final match, the 58-year-old replied, “I don’t know. It depends on the circumstances.” Pressed further, Tyson said, “I don’t think so.”
When asked who he might want to fight in the future, Tyson surprised everyone by suggesting, “Maybe I’ll fight his brother.” The comment drew an immediate reaction from Logan Paul, who was standing beside Jake, jokingly saying, “@@@, I’ll kill you, Mike.” The moment was filled with humor but hinted at a potential future clash.
Jake Paul: “It Was an Honor to Fight Tyson”
Following his victorious performance, Jake Paul expressed respect and admiration for Tyson during an interview with Netflix. “This man has always supported me. I love him, as well as his family and coaches. It was an honor to share the ring with him,” Paul stated.
However, the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer didn’t shy away from admitting the challenge he faced: “I was trying to hit him, but I was scared he might hit me. I did my best.”
