Jake Paul was expected to walk away from the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Friday with a victory over 58-year old Mike Tyson.
While the vast majority of fans were hoping that “Iron” Mike would turn back to clock for just one night, one round, even just one minute or less for a knockout blow, father time is undefeated for a reason. Paul, 30 years younger than his latest opponent, was expected to have the edge in speed, stamina, chin, just about everything outside of, perhaps, power.
Tyson had not competed since an exhibition contest against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Though no winner was declared, most had Tyson getting his hand raised – but Jones, like Mike Tyson, was already in his 50s.
After an extended intro, walkouts and introductions, it was just past midnight on the East Coast when Mike Tyson entered his first sanctioned fight in decades. “Iron” Mike landed an overhand right early, and backed Paul into the ropes, forcing the younger man to clinch up. That appeared to be part of Paul’s game plan early on – clinch up, and let the ref sort things out. Paul did have his right hand in his back pocket, and uncorked that more than once, as well as his jab. Tyson might have laid claim to the first round.
Round two (with two minute rounds in effect, the first had flown by) saw Tyson come forward, doubling up on his left. Paul went to the body with his right. The speed difference was clear as day even just three minutes into the fight; Tyson at times looked like he was in slow motion compared to Paul. That didn’t stop the crowd from starting a “Tyson” chant. Little action in the second frame, which Paul likely took.
Mike Tyson landed a left to open round three, starting the round hot. Paul answered back with a hook, hurting Tyson. Another left hook landed for Paul. And another. Jake Paul landed one more left hand at the end of the round, but held up, opting not to turn up the heat on Tyson. Overall, a horrible round for Mike Tyson.
Jake Paul danced around Tyson in round four, far lighter on his feet. Paul went to the body, and found more success with his left hook. Tyson tried a little lateral movement, but overall, round four had a distinct lack of action from both men.
Round five saw Tyson land a left hand in the back half of the round. Mike displayed better movement through the first minute, but didn’t land anything of note other than the left. Paul connected with a right late, and Tyson fired a left at the bell.
Following the fifth, and more than halfway into the eight-round fight, Tyson’s corner advised him that they couldn’t wait any longer to get going. At best, Tyson had won the first, but Paul more than likely had taken the next four frames. Round six saw Paul jab to the body and head, with Tyson struggling to find a way inside. Again, not a ton of action, and if anything, it seemed as if Paul might be showing some restraint.
Tyson opened round seven with a connection. Not anything fight-changing, but at least a sign of life. The rest of the round was Jake Paul using his range and length well, connecting repeatedly as Tyson struggled to come forward. The former heavyweight champ took a massive breath back on his stool ahead of the final round.
With two minutes to somehow pull out a win, the deck was stacked against Mike Tyson. Paul’s left hook continued to be a threat. Tyson continued to struggle to find an entry. Paul jabbed, keeping Tyson at bay. A right hand clipped Mike. Nothing serious. After the 10 second clapper, Paul actually bowed to the heavyweight legend, but there was no question as to the winner: Jake Paul’s pocketbook, and father time. A fight that didn’t need to happen played out as expected, with the silver lining being that Tyson suffered no permanent damage.
Official Result: Jake Paul def. Mike Tyson by unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73, 79-73)
