ARLINGTON, Texas, Nov 16: Jake Paul emerged victorious over Mike Tyson in a unanimous decision after an uneventful boxing match on Friday night (November 15, 2024) at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The fight, which had been heavily hyped, failed to live up to expectations as the action in the ring was underwhelming.
Judges Score the Fight in Paul’s Favor
The bout wasn’t close on the judge’s cards, with one scoring it 80-72 for Paul and the other two giving him 79-73. Despite the buildup of animosity before the fight, the tension appeared to dissipate once the bell rang, with Paul even bowing to Tyson in a sign of respect before the final bell sounded.
Tyson Starts Strong but Fizzles Out
Tyson, the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion, came out strong in the opening seconds, landing a couple of quick punches. However, his momentum quickly stalled, and he seemed to struggle with the pace of the fight. The veteran boxer, in his first sanctioned pro fight in nearly 20 years, failed to generate much offense as the rounds progressed.
Paul’s Aggression Fails to Land Efficiently
Paul, who began his boxing career just over four years ago, was more aggressive following Tyson’s early burst but struggled with his accuracy. There were numerous wild swings and misses from the young YouTuber-turned-boxer, as he looked to press the action. Tyson mostly waited for Paul to come to him, with a few brief exchanges, but the fight lacked sustained excitement.
A Historic Return for Tyson
This was Tyson’s first sanctioned fight since 2005, and it was clear that the time away from the ring had taken a toll on his performance. Despite his legendary career, the 58-year-old seemed unable to keep up with Paul, a boxer with far less experience but more recent ring activity.
Co-Main Event Sees Katie Taylor Retain Championship
The undercard featured another exciting clash as Katie Taylor successfully defended her undisputed super lightweight championship with a decision win over Amanda Serrano in a thrilling co-main event, which was much more competitive than the headliner.
Fight Postponed Due to Tyson’s Health Issues
The fight, originally scheduled for July 20, had to be postponed when Tyson fell ill and required treatment for a stomach ulcer after a flight. Despite the delay and anticipation, the main event did not deliver the fireworks that many had hoped for.
