Mike Tyson’s highly anticipated return to the boxing ring ended in a dominant victory for YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who defeated the legendary heavyweight by unanimous decision in a one-sided eight-round bout. The fight took place on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with Paul winning on all three judges’ scorecards — 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
Tyson, at 58 years old, struggled to land effective punches throughout the fight, with Paul utilizing superior speed, agility, and movement to control the action. Despite being repeatedly pressured, Tyson had difficulty connecting with his younger opponent. In the third round, Paul landed a barrage of punches that visibly troubled the former undisputed heavyweight champion, although he was unable to deliver the knockout blow he had promised at Thursday’s tense weigh-in.
While Paul was the clear winner, Tyson, known for his ferocious career in the 1980s, managed to land only 18 of 97 punches, compared to Paul’s 78 out of 278. Despite the defeat, Tyson expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I came to fight,” and emphasized that the experience was more for his own satisfaction than to prove anything to others. Tyson, who fought with a knee brace, dismissed it as a factor in his performance.
Paul, 27, after securing the win, praised Tyson as an iconic figure in boxing, calling him the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time). He expressed respect for his opponent and mentioned that Tyson’s legacy was a source of inspiration for his own boxing journey. Tyson, in turn, acknowledged Paul’s skill, suggesting he might even consider another fight in the future, though he refrained from making definitive statements.
Tyson, who had been paid $20 million for this comeback bout, had faced significant criticism for returning to the ring after nearly two decades. His 2005 defeat to Kevin McBride had marked his last official professional fight. The comeback was surrounded by controversy, with concerns about Tyson’s health and the potential risks of stepping back into the ring at his age. Despite these concerns, Tyson remained confident, deflecting the criticism as stemming from jealousy over his continued box-office appeal.
This event marked another chapter in Tyson’s storied career, though it raised questions about the future of his boxing aspirations. Whether this will be his last fight remains uncertain, as Tyson himself refused to rule out the possibility of more bouts in the future.
