YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul emerged victorious over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated bout held in Texas on Friday night.
Tyson, 58, who was making a controversial return to the boxing ring after nearly two decades, lost by unanimous decision.
Paul, known for his transition from social media to professional boxing, showed respect for Tyson despite the pre-fight tensions. He even bowed to the legendary fighter as the final bell rang at the AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
The judges’ scorecards made the outcome clear, with one scoring the fight 80-72 and the other two 79-73 in favour of Paul. Tyson started strong, landing a few punches early in the fight, but his performance waned as the match progressed.
Shorter and fewer rounds were introduced to accommodate Tyson’s age and the long gap since his last sanctioned fight in 2005. However, these adjustments did little to ignite the bout, with Paul taking the initiative but struggling with accuracy as many punches missed their mark.
Tyson primarily stayed on the defensive, occasionally engaging, but lacked the intensity of his prime years. The match stood in stark contrast to the energetic co-main event, where Katie Taylor retained her undisputed super lightweight title with a decision over Amanda Serrano.
Originally scheduled for July 20, the fight was delayed due to Tyson’s health issues, including treatment for a stomach ulcer. Despite the hype, the showdown highlighted the challenges of returning to the ring after such a long hiatus.
(AP)
