Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision victory over Mike Tyson in a heavily hyped but underwhelming bout on Friday night at AT&T Stadium, leaving fans disappointed with the lack of action between the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer and the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion.
Paul bowed to Tyson in the closing seconds, a gesture of respect for the legendary fighter. However, the tribute did little to appease the restless crowd, which had been expecting more fireworks. Judges scored the fight decisively in Paul’s favor, with one tallying it 80-72 and the others 79-73.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul Fight Highlights
The fight started with promise as Tyson landed a couple of quick punches right after the opening bell, but the aggression fizzled. Tyson seemed reluctant to engage, throwing sporadic punches while waiting for Paul to close the distance. Meanwhile, Paul struggled to find his rhythm, often missing wildly despite being the more active fighter.
The bout featured fewer and shorter rounds, as well as heavier gloves designed to mitigate damage. These adjustments, however, did little to improve the spectacle, leaving the crowd to compare it unfavorably to the co-main event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, which showcased relentless action.
This marked Tyson’s first sanctioned professional fight since 2005. His return to the ring was delayed after he was treated for a stomach ulcer in July. In contrast, Paul, who began boxing just over four years ago, extended his record while facing questions about the fight’s legitimacy and competitive balance.
While the event generated considerable attention due to its novelty, the lackluster performance underscored the difficulties of balancing nostalgia with genuine sporting competition.