Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson in Historic Heavyweight Showdown

Ilustración 1 CBS Sports

In a battle of generations, Jake Paul, 27, defeated the iconic 58-year-old Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in an electrifying eight-round heavyweight bout on Friday night. The match, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and streamed live on Netflix, captured global attention with its unique pairing of a social media sensation and one of boxing’s greatest legends.

Tyson entered the fight strong, showcasing flashes of the devastating power that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history. However, as the rounds progressed, Paul gained the upper hand, displaying improved confidence and tactical precision that left Tyson on the defensive in the later stages.

The judges scored the fight in Paul’s favor, awarding him a unanimous victory with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73. Following the announcement, the two fighters embraced, with Paul praising Tyson as “a legend and the greatest to ever do it,” and Tyson responding by calling Paul “a very good fighter.”

Despite the loss, Tyson expressed pride in his performance. "I didn’t prove anything to anybody, only to myself," he remarked. When asked if he would consider returning to the ring again, Tyson left the door open, stating he was "absolutely happy" with the experience.

A Fight Months in the Making

The fight was originally scheduled for July but faced delays after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up in May. Tensions flared anew at the pre-fight weigh-in, where Tyson slapped Paul during a face-off. Tyson later explained that the slap stemmed from Paul accidentally stepping on his toe, a moment both fighters laughed off after the match.

The Road Ahead

With this victory, Paul improved his professional record to 11-1. The win further solidifies his reputation in the boxing world, with Paul confidently stating his belief in his potential to claim a championship title in the cruiserweight division within the next two years.

Tyson, who retired in 2005 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011, remains one of the most beloved figures in the sport. The fight marked his first competitive bout since his 2020 exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr.

Prize Money and Impact

The financial stakes of the fight were as high as the anticipation surrounding it. Paul was expected to earn a staggering $40 million, while Tyson’s payout was estimated at $20 million.

The event, co-produced by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, shattered streaming records and reinforced boxing’s ability to draw audiences across generations.

As Tyson succinctly put it on social media post-fight, “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time.”