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Jake Paul picked up a unanimous decision win over Mike Tyson in the highly anticipated Netflix bout from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Neither fighter really set the world on fire in the first round. Paul was cautious in his approach and Tyson didn’t seem able to take advantage. Given Tyson’s age, a strong start was necessary to put the pressure on his opponent.
Instead, he gave time for Paul to find a rhythm in the early rounds. Paul standing landing with some regularity starting in the the third round and looked like he might earn a knowdown in the fourth.
Tyson continued to look his age as the fight wore on. Tyson threw the occasional bomb, but it only threatened air and made him slower.
Sergio Mora @TheLatinSnake_
Every time Mike MISSES a BOMB it takes more from his old legs than anything Paul is doing. #TysonPaul
As the fight wore on, Paul settled into a groove while Tyson just didn’t have the movement to evade or return fire. The memes and reaction to Tyson’s performance were everywhere.
The controversial Paul has now won five in a row. He continues to be the main draw in the influencer boxing world through his dedication to actually improving his skills and strategic selection of opponents.
In many ways, this is the biggest win of Paul’s career to date. The biggest criticism that could be lodged against Paul’s boxing aspirations is that he doesn’t have wins over fighters with an actual boxing resume.
Tyson is the first fighter with a legitimate boxing resume that Paul has faced. Granted, he’s a 58-year-old shell of what he used to be, but he is a former world champion who is probably the most famous boxer alive.
Now, Paul is already angling for an even bigger fight against a much more relevant opponent.
“This moment will prove I’m the face of boxing, the largest attraction,” Paul said ahead of his fight against Tyson, per Mark Giannotto of USA Today, “and me vs. Canelo at 200 pounds for the cruiserweight championship of the world is the biggest fight, arguably even bigger than me vs. Tyson, and it makes so much sense.”
The bout might make “so much sense” for Paul’s bank account. There’s no denying that Paul’s fights have developed a large audience. Whether it’s Paul supporters following his journey into boxing or detractors hoping to see him lose, this fight is evidence that there’s a massive market for Paul fights.
However, there’s a big difference between fighting a 58-year-old Tyson and a 34-year-old Canelo Alvarez who is still fighting at a championship level.
As for Tyson, this should be the end of the line. It was one thing when Tyson signed on to fight fellow aging boxing star Roy Jones Jr. back in 2020. Both were well past their prime and it wasn’t a sanctioned bout.
It’s another for the once-great heavyweight champion to join the crossover boxing scene.
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