The confrontation between Mike Tyson, 58, and Jake Paul, 27, was permeated with great expectations, but also leaves doubts about its sporting nature. The younger fighter beat the veteran this Friday (15) by unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73 and 79-73).
Events such as the one held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which sold 80,000 tickets, have been exploited in the media by bringing together retired boxers, digital influencers and former MMA fighters in the ring. However, they are the target of criticism by defenders of professional boxing.
The confrontation between Paul and Tyson was broadcast by Netflix, which promoted the event alongside Most Valuable Promotions. Four-time world champion Acelino Popó Freitas acted as a commentator on the streaming channel.
According to the rules, this Friday’s fight could have a maximum of eight two-minute rounds, while the professional duel lasts three minutes. The reduction was a request from Tyson himself.
In addition to the age difference between Tyson and Paul of more than 30 years, curiosity about the veteran’s technical performance and physical shape fluctuated with each announcement of the event. Considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, he hasn’t fought professionally since 2005.
The confrontation, initially, had been scheduled for July 20th. However, Tyson suffered from an ulcer and was therefore rescheduled.
In an interview with Sheeton the 30th, ‘Iron Mike’ stated that he felt good and in top shape to face the influencer despite the age difference.
“I’m capable of doing this. I’m still fighting well. I’m looking good, training well. I box eight rounds, twice a week. I’m ready,” said Tyson, who is trained by Brazilian Rafael Cordeiro, best known for preparing athletes of MMA as Fabrício Werdum.
In 2020, Tyson, then 54 years old, made his last appearance in a ring when he returned to participate in an exhibition fight with another veteran of the sport, Roy Jones Jr, then 51 years old.
Tyson was the most aggressive, but had difficulty hitting his opponent. In the end, there was a symbolic draw and, as per protocol at that event, the two were declared champions.
On the other hand, Jake Paul, quite famous on social media with almost 27 million followers on his Instagram account, has been attracting attention for the way he promotes his fights.
Born in Cleveland, Paul became famous with videos published on social media — the most popular of which, the video for the song “It’s everyday bro”, has more than 300 million views.
The record of 11 fights is modest compared to that which consecrated Tyson, with 50 victories in 58 duels, 44 of which were by knockouts.
The only setback so far, due to a split decision by the referees, happened in early 2023 against Tommy Fury, professional boxer and brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Paul is only in his fifth year competing professionally. The influencer began to attract attention as a boxer when he knocked out Nate Robinson, a former NBA star, in the second round.
This Friday, Tyson joked about his habit of biting his gloves. “It’s a mania. I’m obsessed with bites,” he said, alluding to the famous bite on Evander Holyfield.
Against Anderson Silva, the biggest name he had faced, Paul secured his victory by coming in with a right hand that led to the Brazilian being knocked down. “Nobody can talk about you anymore,” Anderson said to the American, after his defeat.
In one of the several fights that preceded the main fight, Brazilian Whindersson Nunes faced Indian Nareej Goyat in six three-minute rounds. Goyat won by points in a unanimous decision by the judges: 59-55, 60-54 and 60-54.
In another dispute, which had Mexican welterweights Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos as opponents, Netflix took the opportunity to promote its series “Cobra Kai”. The streaming channel shared the screen to show a trailer for “Cobra Kai” and showed actors William Zabka and Ralph Macchio, who participate in the series, in the audience, watching the fights.
