The Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul boxing match has been anticipated since earlier this year, and it finally happened on November 15th. The fight was held at the AT&T Theatre in Arlington, Texas with 70,000 people and live streamed on Netflix with over two million fans from 190 countries watching from home.
Despite the live stream being nearly five hours, the fight between Tyson and Paul was less than an hour. The fight opens with a video of both fighters’ intense training spanning over seven months. As famous rapper Ice-T narrates, he comments on each boxer.
“Jake Paul is rich, famous, brash, and often misunderstood. A guy who has proven hard work takes you far,” said Ice-T. “He’s convinced himself he can take care of a legend.”
Paul is 27 years old and has recently started boxing. Paul has a history of ten wins and one loss. His training consisted of the same things as Tyson’s routine, however, it’s easier for him to get into shape because he is thirty-one years younger than Tyson.
“It’s my time the Gods know it, I know it, and you’re going to know it,” Paul said. “I’m ready. I’m going to upset the world.”
Tyson is 58 and was summoned out of retirement to fight Paul. Despite having titles like Most Dangerous Man on Earth and Iron Mike and having impressive stats (50 wins and 10 losses) he had to train harder than Paul.
“I don’t want to die in a hospital bed I want to die in the ring,” Tyson said. “No other fifty-eight-year-old is doing this because they have to, it’s something I have to do. Who’s going to stop me.”
The panel of the fight consisted of Kate Scott, Andre Ward, and Cedrick the Entertainer. All of them were siding with Tyson hoping he would win but were intrigued to see what Paul could do.
“I don’t know what got me interested. I don’t know if it’s Mike Tyson or Jake Paul trying to do something with Mike Tyson,” Ward said.
Later in the fight night, Paul was interviewed by Ariel Helwani where he discussed Tyson slapping him the night before.
“I am so happy Mike slapped it makes this real, it makes this personal. And when I beat his ass in a couple of moments here no one can say anything,” Paul said. “People want to see me fail people want to see me lose and they want to see me get knocked out. And they’re going to make excuses for Mike Tyson when he’s the one who does that.”
Tyson slapped Paul twenty-four hours before the fight. Helwani referred to it as ‘The Slap Heard Around the World’ and it seems to have lit a fire in Paul.
“I don’t care if we were friends before. This is serious now and I’m knocking him the fuck out,” Paul said.
Tyson claims Paul stepped on his toe the night before, which explains why he slapped Paul. Paul mocked him unremorsefully and said, “He’s just looking for any excuse to get riled up. He’s aggravated he’s that killer that I’ve wanted to come out. But that’s what’s going to be working against him. He’s going to get worn out.”
Paul’s predictions were to get a K.O. in the fourth or fifth round.
“The whole stadium went crazy when Mike entered everyone loves Mike,” former NFL player Michael Irvin said. “But everyone loves and respects Jake for what he’s done here. To have the ability to not go the normal route and still end up right here. You have to give a little respect.”
Jake Paul became famous from being a social media influencer and joining Team Ten House. Early in his career he had a falling out with his older brother, Logan Paul. He became depressed and started relying on drugs. After a while, Paul wanted to change, and he found the discipline within the training to become a pro boxer. He hasn’t looked back since and he made up with his brother. Now Paul is donating to women’s boxers, so they have more opportunities.
Amir Tyson, Tyson’s son, interviewed his dad. Amir brought up Paul’s blatant disrespect for Tyson.
“I don’t pay attention to Jake’s disrespect. We’re fighting now, nothing matters anymore,” Tyson Said.
Tyson didn’t let the age gap or the fact that Paul was in his physical prime waver his confidence.
“A vicious win,” Tyson said predicting the outcome. However, there can only be one winner, and the boxers’ predictions contradict each other.
The celebrities in the crowd tended to side with Tyson. “Mike Tyson wants to kiss Jake Paul’s face with an uppercut,” pop singer Oliva Rodrigo said rephrasing one of her famous lyrics from Get Him Back.
“I’m ready for Mike Tyson to whoop some ass,” former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal said.
As the fight started both Paul brothers rode in on a green metallic convertible truck greeting excited fans. Paul claimed the blue corner. Tyson walked out by himself disregarding fans, wearing his classic all-black ensemble, and taking the red corner.
This boxing match was different from traditional ones because it’s eight rounds of two minutes instead of the usual three rounds being three minutes each. As Paul was introduced to the crowd he was called ‘The Problem Child’ and Tyson was referred to as ‘The Heavy Weight Champ of the world’.
Round 1: Tyson followed Paul around the rink. When the round had thirty seconds left Paul began throwing punches, many of them landed. Tyson attempted to block most of the punches and landed a punch in the middle of Paul’s face.
Round 2: Paul kept veering over to Tyson’s left which is his dominant hand making it easier for Tyson to land Jabs.
Round 3: At this point, Paul was leading with 53 punches, Tyson had 34. Tyson began showing signs of being hurt but continued fighting. Paul landed three right hooks. Tyson started backing away from Paul and stopped trying to lure Paul in.
Round Four: 62 seconds into this round Paul lands three hooks on Tyson’s face. Later, Paul landed a right hook into Tyson’s torso, Tyson seemed off balance despite training hard his reflexes weren’t 100%.
Round five: Second half: Less than thirty seconds into the round Paul landed two hooks on Tyson’s face, again. It appeared Tyson was getting worn down and Paul was getting more energized. Paul kept hooking Tyson and zoning in on his chin. After every move Tyson began his nervous tic of biting his left glove.
“Jake is starting to turn into a beautiful boxer,” said commentator Roy Ranello.
Throughout the round, Paul was lazy about blocking Tyson’s punches and kept his hands low. Tyson tried one last time by throwing double left and right body hooks but missed as Paul backed away.
Before round six Tyson’s coach, Rafael Cordeiro, told him to get Paul to come forward and to stop backing away.
Round six: Right as round six began Paul starts throwing punches and Tyson hesitantly closes the space between them.
J’Leon Love, a pro boxer, was one of the many celebrities in the crowd. “[Jake] is doing great. Boxing well. Comfortable. In control. I want to see him jab more. It’s the most important punch in boxing. When you have a slow guy sitting there, stagnant use that jab to break him down,” Love said.
Round Seven: Tyson immediately begins to, “Show some life,” said commentator Jones Jr. The round starts with the referee warning Jake about measuring punches after he did it twice, but it was just a fluke Paul hit Tyson with a combo of left and right hooks that landed.
Once the round ended Cordeiro said, “Hey champ, get more aggressive,” to Tyson.
Round eight: Final round: “It’s been as many expected if it would go past the first round, it would belong to Jake Paul and that has definitely been the case,” said Jones Jr. Thirty seconds in Paul lands three left hooks, ten seconds later, Tyson landed multiple right hooks and Paul keeps balance. As the last minutes were announced, Tyson closed some space between him and Paul and began biting his glove again. With seconds left, Paul put down his arms and bowed to Tyson showing his respect for him. With the last seconds remaining they measured punches not making contact.
When the last match ended Paul and Tyson hugged and butted heads as Paul talked to Tyson. When both boxers’ teams entered the rink, they congratulated each other, and the boxers gave each other one last hug. Paul genuinely seemed grateful for the opportunity and respected Tyson.
After announcing Paul’s victory he said, “First and foremost Mike Tyson it’s such an honor. Let’s give it up for Mike. He’s a legend. He’s the greatest to ever do it, He’s the G.O.A.T. I look up to him. I’m inspired by him and wouldn’t be here today without him. This is an icon and it’s just an honor to be able to fight him. He’s the toughest baddest man on the planet. It was really tough fighting him just as I expected it to be.”
Despite other misconceptions about Paul, he humbly accepted the win. Overall, Tyson averaged nine lands per round while Paul averaged ten.
“I knew Jake was a good fighter, I knew he could fight. I came to fight. I didn’t prove anything to anybody only myself,” said Tyson. “I’m not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.”
After all the trash talk between both boxers before the fight Paul said, “[Mike] is the guy that’s always had my back. I love him, I love his family, and I love his coaches.”
The anticipation of the fight seems to have offset each of the boxer’s patients with each other and they got caught up in the heat of the moment. Now that the fight is over, they’re ready to squash their beef. Paul is ready to fight whoever ever and Tyson is unsure of what is next whether it is retirement or staying in the rink.
