Social media star Jake Paul defeated boxing legend Mike Tyson in a long-awaited battle with an age difference of more than three decades between the two contenders. Friday night’s win for the YouTuber turned pro boxer was streamed on Netflix from the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Texas.
Paul defeated Tyson by unanimous decision after the two fighters completed eight full rounds, with each round lasting two minutes. Tyson came out strong but faded as the fight progressed, while Paul grew in confidence and seemed to have Tyson on his heels in the final few rounds.
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After the decision was announced, the two fighters embraced. Paul complemented Tyson, calling him “a legend and the best to ever do it. He’s the GOAT. I look up to him, I’m inspired by him. This man is an icon.”
Tyson said he was “absolutely happy” with the way he fought, describing Paul as a “very good fighter”.
“I haven’t proven anything to anyone but myself,” Tyson said, and when asked, he did not rule out a return to the ring.
Fight night for the 58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul arrived after doubting whether it would even happen. The fight was originally scheduled for July, but it was postponed after the former heavyweight champion developed an ulcer on a plane in May.
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A different kind of flare-up occurred during Thursday’s official weigh-in with Tyson Slap Paul in the face. Tyson later told the New York Post that Paul had stepped on his toe while the two stood toe-to-toe on stage.
When asked about the incident after the fight, Tyson waved it away, saying, “That’s what happens when you’re getting ready to fight, you’re in the moment.”
“Hey, that was a really good hit,” Paul replied. “I liked that.”
What is Jake Paul’s fight record?
The win improved Paul’s record to 11-1.
Was it predicted that Jake Paul would win?
Oddsmakers had Paul as the slight favorite to win. Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua also went with Paul.
How much prize money will Jake Paul win?
Paul was expected to earn approximately $40 million out of contention, according to DraftKings Network and other online sources.
The promoters did not disclose the payouts ahead of the fight. Paul is co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, which produced the fight.
Does Mike Tyson still get paid?
According to DraftKings and other online reports, Tyson was expected to take home around $20 million for the fight.
Tyson began boxing professionally in 1985 and became the youngest heavyweight champion in history a year later. After serving a prison sentence for a rape conviction in the 1990s, Tyson won World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association titles.
He retired from boxing in 2005 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011. He last fought in a 2020 exhibition match against former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr.
“He’s like put on another 20 pounds since I fought him, so he’s bigger and more dangerous because he’s bigger and has more strength, so it’s going to be hard for Jake to climb,” Jones told CBS ahead of the match News. fight.
Anne Marie Lee and Matt Richardson contributed to this report.
