Jake Paul has defeated Mike Tyson in what was arguably the biggest night of boxing this century.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in their highly-anticipated bout. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
No matter what you think about Jake Paul being a YouTuber-turned-boxer or about the legendary Mike Tyson stepping foot in the ring at the age of 58 against somebody 31 years his junior… this was a must-watch fight.
It was the biggest age gap in a professionally sanctioned boxing match. And despite the excitement, I think the fight went exactly how many of us expected.
Tyson slapped Paul around the face following their weigh-in. Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Paul was driven to the ring in a Chevvy, to the sounds of Phil Collin’s ‘In The Air Tonight’ and a chorus of boos from those in attendance at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
However, Tyson was showered with cheers – as the estimated 72,000 in attendance were just in awe at seeing the boxing legend once again return to the ring for a professional bout. “Welcome home, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson!”
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Paul took Tyson – and viewers – by surprise. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
The first couple of rounds were certainly a feeling-out process, with not much action taking place. By the third round, however, it was evident Tyson was rocked, as Paul continued to display youth over experience.
By the sixth round, the fight had slowed down, and the action was just… lacking, with Paul landing more hits than Tyson. At times, it looks like Paul could have ended it whenever he wanted.
By the seventh round, Tyson was displaying perhaps one short burst of fury per round, but it wasn’t enough to knock down the younger Paul.
In the eighth round, it was like both men knew what the result was going to be. Jake bowed down to Tyson in the final seconds, and Tyson offered his glove in a sign of respect.
Jake Paul can say he beat Mike Tyson. Credit: Al Bello / Getty
By the final bell, both fighters were booed. It was not the fight people wanted.
The judges’ decision was predictable, and Paul emerged victorious by a unanimous decision. One judge scored it 80-72 with two judges seeing it as a 79-73 win for Paul.
Nevertheless, with the hype and excitement – and the sheer spectacle of seeing Tyson back in the ring – there’s no doubt this was a special fight… just… slightly underwhelming.
In fact, BBC Sport reported that some fans were leaving before the conclusion. Ouch.
Prior to the Tyson/Paul fight, viewers were left in awe by the event’s co-main event, as Katie Taylor narrowly clinched victory against Amanda Serrano in a nail-biting rematch.
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Taylor emerged from the rematch victorious. Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Despite being shaken by a powerful right hand from Serrano in the opening round, Taylor managed to pull through and secure a unanimous (albeit controversial) decision from the judges, all scoring the fight 95-94 in her favor.
The match intensified when Serrano suffered a significant cut in the sixth round as the result of an accidental headbutt.
The two fighters pushed each other to the limits, but it was Taylor who emerged victorious, holding her ground in a thrilling encounter that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
Serrano said after her loss: “I knew when it went to the judges it was going to be a little shady. Listen, I chose to fight. I went up three divisions. I lost in two and I dared to be great tonight. I am the featherweight champion of the world. I want to be great. I only fight the best. It is what it is. I’m a featherweight.”
Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Speaking about her injury, she added: “Every time you get a cut it hurts. You get blood in your eye. She kept headbutting me, but we knew that from the very beginning, the first fight. It’s not only my fight, she did it with Chantelle Cameron. Listen, I am Puerto Rican. No matter how many cuts, I will fight to the very end.”
And speaking on her victory, Taylor said post-fight: “It’s very hard to tell during the fight. I knew it was an absolute slug fest in there, an absolute war. Thank God I came out on the winning side.
“Thank you to Amanda, she’s a fantastic champion. I think we agreed to 12, three minute rounds in our next fight. The triple is on.
“That’s what a boxer does. We train to be able to recover from those punches. She’s a hard puncher. A very tough warrior. I was prepared for that. I don’t care if the commentary team or the crowd disagree with the result. The only ones who matter are the judges around the ring. So thank God.
“I definitely didn’t agree with the point deduction. I certainly wasn’t fighting dirty. Sometimes it gets rough in there.
“This is an amazing moment for women’s boxing. We put on another amazing show.”
One thing is for sure: What an incredible night of boxing.
