Social Media Star Jake Paul Wins Controversial Bout Against Legendary Boxer Mike Tyson in Front of Record-Breaking Netflix Audience
Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, defeated former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in a highly anticipated, albeit underwhelming, eight-round fight held at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, CNN reports.
The event, streamed on Netflix, shattered streaming records, attracting a reported 60 million households and peaking at 65 million concurrent viewers, according to Netflix. Paul himself claimed over 120 million people watched.
The bout, billed as a “mega-event” by Netflix and dominating social media, failed to deliver a boxing masterclass. The 58-year-old Tyson, fighting professionally for the first time in nearly two decades, landed 18 of 97 thrown punches. Paul, significantly younger and more athletic, successfully outlasted his legendary opponent, improving his professional record to 11-1.
While the sight of Tyson back in the ring delighted many longtime fans, others were less impressed. Former heavyweight champion and Tyson rival Evander Holyfield deemed the fight “not a good one.” This fight continues a pattern for Paul, who has previously faced opponents well past their prime, including Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz.
The fight’s quality was sharply contrasted by the co-main event, a classic bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, where Taylor controversially retained her undisputed world light-welterweight title.
The pre-fight hype mirrored traditional boxing events, complete with verbal sparring and even a slap exchanged between Tyson and Paul at the weigh-in. However, the age disparity between the fighters was evident in the ring, with Tyson unable to maintain his pace against Paul.
Paul later admitted he extended the fight for the spectacle, stating, “I wanted to give the fans a show but I didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt.” This admission fueled criticism from viewers who felt the fight lacked substance.
Despite the mixed reception, Tyson, while not officially announcing his retirement, expressed gratitude for the experience on X.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time,” he wrote.
The event also saw its share of online mockery, with numerous memes circulating regarding Netflix’s streaming issues and the overall quality of the fight itself.
