Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
ARLINGTON, Texas - "The Baddest Man on the Planet" Mike Tyson returned to the boxing ring Friday night. .
Even though Tyson is a fan favorite, this fight showed that Father Time is still unbeaten. The fight between Tyson and Paul lasted eight two-minute rounds.
Paul won with 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73. Paul entered the ring in a green car with his brother Logan by his side and a caged pigeon in the back. Paul played Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" while Tyson sang part of the song. match.
When Tyson appeared on Ja Rule, Jay-Z and DMX's "Murdergram" show, his exit was met with a standing ovation. Although Tyson was almost 60 years old, his entrance was an iconic moment for everyone in attendance. But that's where the excitement ends. During Thursday's weigh-ins, Tyson punched Paul after he stepped on his leg during the final look. It turned out to be Tyson's biggest hit against his opponent. After a tense opening minute, Paul began to use his length to prevent Tyson from attacking on the inside and jabbed Tyson to the head and body to score. By the third round, Tyson was exhausted and could only follow Paul around the ring, occasionally jumping up.
"I'm not proving anything to anyone but myself," Tyson said of his performance. "I'm not a person who wants to please the world. I'm just happy with what I can do."
Tyson curiously chewed on his gloves and wore knee pads throughout the fight, demonstrating his lack of mobility and compromising his trademark explosiveness. However, Paul has to respect the former heavyweight champion who was known for his destructive and intimidating power. "He's a legend," Paul said. "He is the best player ever. He is GOD. I look at him. I'm inspired by him, and without him we wouldn't be here. He is an icon. He is the strongest man on the planet.
Tyson returns to the ring in his first professional fight since losing to Kevin McBride on June 11, 2005. He recently impressed against Roy Jones Jr. exhibition game in 2020, setting the stage for a showdown with Paul.
But Tyson (50-7, 44 KO, 2 NC) struggled to maintain his offense Friday night, landing just 18 of 97 shots. Paul was originally scheduled to face Tyson on July 20, but the fight was postponed when Tyson was injured on the flight. Instead of waiting, Paul fought former UFC fighter and current BKFC competitor Mike Perry and managed a TKO in the sixth round. Paul (11 wins, 1 loss, 7 KOs) could not knock out Tyson, who is 31 years his senior. Instead, he used lateral movement and often took Tyson down with a punch. Neither fighter faced much danger, with Paul maintaining control throughout, landing 78 of his 278 punches.
"I tried to hurt him a little," Paul said. "I was afraid he was going to hurt me. I tried to hurt him. I have tried my best.
At times the audience grew restless and sighed at the lack of action. But there were "Tyson" chants and the occasional cheer every time the former champion stepped forward to land a punch. But Tyson's age has shown and he doesn't have the strength to keep up with his younger opponents. Although it wasn't the performance he wanted, Tyson refused to say it would be the last time he would step into the ring. "I don't know," Tyson later replied when asked if he wanted to fight again. "It depends." Tyson then saw Logan Paul and hinted at a possible showdown. "Maybe I'll fight his brother," Tyson said. Logan Paul didn't seem too keen on the yelling, and he blurted out, "I'm going to kill you, Mike."
As for Jake Paul, he said he is still pursuing his boxing match with Canelo Alvarez. Although unlikely, the idea of a fight with Tyson would have been considered ridiculous just a few years ago, but it eventually happened. "Everybody's next on the list," Paul said. "Canelo needs me. I won't even call him. He needs a payday. He knows where
the money is.