Jake Paul now holds a victory over Mike Tyson, but the way their fight played out was less than satisfying.
After a fun first round that saw Tyson show flashes of the heavyweight knockout king he once was, Friday’s main event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, devolved into a dreary affair where neither Tyson nor Paul impressed. Paul walked away with a clear decision win, but that had as much to do with the 58-year-old Tyson’s inactivity as any part of Paul’s performance.
Regardless, Paul adds Tyson to a list of boxing wins that also includes UFC legend Anderson Silva, and MMA standouts Mike Perry, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren.
Members of the fighting community tuning into the fight were merciless with their appraisal of the lackluster contest.
Boxing champion Terence Crawford expressed respect for Tyson, but criticized him, writing on Twitter, “He looked like trash, to train that long and only throw 97 punches the whole fight is crazy.”
See more of the best reactions from social media below.
I love Mike Tyson, but they giving him too much credit. He looked like trash, to train that long and only throw 97 punches the whole fight is crazy. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt out there.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) November 16, 2024
This fight made me sad. #TysonPaul
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) November 16, 2024
Wasn’t the most exciting fight, cool to see Tyson throwing punches i guess - he’s a legend always
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) November 16, 2024
I can go to sleep now . Mike Tyson went the distance . Good entertainment . Jake Paul keep doing your sh**! #PaulTyson
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 16, 2024
Mike Tyson fought well for a for his age, Jake Paul dominated the fight from the outside and respected Iron Mike!#PaulTyson
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) November 16, 2024