By: Ramona Galvin
On November 15, 2024 the most streamed sporting event ever occurred between one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Mike Tyson, and youtube sensation and newly pronounced boxer, Jake Paul.
The tension had been brewing for a while, as the fight was originally scheduled to commence on July 20, 2024. However, the match was suspended on Tyson’s behalf due to health related issues. He was suffering from complications stemming from a stomach ulcer.
After taking a while to recover, Iron Mike stepped back into the ring once again to take on Jake Paul. The 58 year-old retired boxer was a favorite to win, despite his age being almost double Jake Paul’s.
The match consisted of eight 2 minute rounds in which Paul maintained a consistent lead on Tyson. Jake Paul landed 78 hits across all rounds, while Tyson landed a measly 17 hits. It was very clear to spectators that Mike Tyson’s age was causing his performance to deteriorate. Paul says, “There was a point where I was like, ‘He’s not really engaging back,’ I don’t know if he was tired of whatever, and I could just tell his age was showing a little bit.”
Despite his exhaustion, Iron Mike was still able to put up a few good blows against Paul. Unfortunately, it was not enough to beat Paul. In the judges’ opinions, Jake Paul came out victorious after a full eight rounds of boxing.
When his victory was announced, fans that remained to watch the whole fight started booing Paul—outraged at Tyson’s loss. Those who watched the fight in person (as it was also streamed on Netflix) jokingly remarked that “they [Netflix] didn’t show the spectators leaving in mass in the middle of the fight.” Others said that the true winner was “anyone who went to bed and didn’t watch the fight,” implying that the match was so boring and disappointing.
Many fans have challenged the legitimacy of the results, arguing that the fight was staged and that Tyson was paid $20 million to lose, using videos of Tyson’s training, punches he didn’t throw, and even him biting his glove as evidence. The internet has even lashed out at Jake Paul for choosing to fight someone double his age— mocking that the next person he fights will be Former President Jimmy Carter, who is 100 years old.
The fight may have not been the knockout brawl everyone had expected, it sure does mark an important moment in boxing history. However, it does leave fans wondering if Mike Tyson will ever step in the ring again?
