The highly anticipated boxing event featuring Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson has captured the attention of fans worldwide. This record-breaking boxing spectacle streamed live on Netflix from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Here’s everything you need to know about this unforgettable clash in the ring.
The Main Event: Paul vs. Tyson
The heavyweight fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was the product of months of sweat, tears, and anticipation. The sanctioned fight was approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and consisted of eight two-minute rounds (instead of the usual three-minute rounds). Both boxers wore 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the standard gloves.
In the first round, both fighters entered in an orthodox stance, both throwing punches at each other. However, by the second round, Tyson seemed to have already been tired out and had lost momentum, which is a pattern that would continue throughout the fight. In the end, Paul was declared the winner by unanimous decision.
Tyson is one of the most recognizable athletes across all sports and is regarded as one of the most formidable heavyweights in boxing history. Once known as a viral YouTuber, Paul has shown tremendous growth as a boxer on his path to becoming a world-class fighter. He’s rapidly emerged as a significant figure in the world of boxing entertainment and co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with business partner Nakisa Bidarian.
The showdown between Paul and Tyson is over, but it was an unforgettable clash in the ring.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Fight Highlights | #PaulTyson
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Controversies and Criticisms
Many criticized Paul for fighting Tyson due to the significant age difference. The 31-year age difference between Tyson and Paul is the largest age difference in professional boxing history. Former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland criticized Paul on X, stating, "this should be illegal" and called Paul a clown, with former Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis agreeing.Fellow YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI described the bout on Instagram as "elderly abuse".
In response, Tyson had cited his years of training, calling himself a “different species of human being”. In a press conference with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Tyson distinguished biological age from chronological age, stating “Our man's biggest downfall is to believe we have limitations and that's what we do, we believe we're a certain amount of age”.
In a press conference, Paul stated “A lot of people are doubting me. I go onto the Instagram comments and I see them all saying, ‘If Jake wins this fight, it’s rigged’ because of how incredible he looks. Age doesn’t matter. Age is just a number. He’s a killer, he’s a warrior, he’s been doing this his whole, entire life, so it’s second nature to him.
During the weigh-in the day prior to the match, Paul stepped on Tyson's toes; Tyson has been on record stating he has foot problems due to health issues including sciatica, and has an aversion to people stepping on them. Tyson slapped Paul across the face, afterwards telling the New York Post "I was in my socks and he had on shoes. He stepped on my toe because he is a fucking asshole. I wanted to think it happened by accident. But now I think it may have happened on purpose," adding "I was in a lot of pain.
Netflix has been criticized for widespread technical difficulties that plagued the event's livestream. Many viewers tuning in were unable to watch the fight due to buffering. Following the fight, a number of outlets expressed concerns that the fight was staged.
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The Co-Main Event: Taylor vs. Serrano 2
In a spectacular 2022 bout, pound-for-pound stars Taylor and Serrano made history as the first-ever female fighters to headline Madison Square Garden, which was sold out. It was a rematch years in the making: Undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor stepped back into the ring against unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano. The bout ended in a narrow split decision in favor of Taylor, and both fighters earned honors for Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022.
Taylor-Serrano 2 was contested under traditional women’s boxing rules of two-minute rounds and 10 rounds overall. The co-main event was the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history, with an estimated 74 million live viewers globally. Serrano delivered more punches, while Taylor countered effectively. A fourth-round head collision left Serrano with a cut above her right eye. In the end, Taylor defended her title as the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world after all three judges scored the bout 95-94 in her favor.
Undercard Fights
Several other exciting fights took place on the undercard:
- Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos: In an electrifying WBC Welterweight Championship bout, reigning champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios maintained his title against Abel Ramos by way of a split draw after 12 full rounds. The pair threw a combined 1,500 punches during the bout.
- Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes: Also on the card for the boxing mega-event were Neeraj Goyat, India’s No. 1 boxer and MVP’s first international signee, and Brazil’s multitalented superstar Whindersson Nunes. Goyat made his MVP debut against Nunes in a professional six-round super middleweight bout. Goyat won the bout by unanimous decision and a comprehensive 60-54 margin with 481 punches thrown, 171 landed.
Viewing Statistics
Around the world, over 108 million viewers tuned in live to watch the epic showdown. The event streamed live on Netflix on Friday Nov. 15 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where a total of 72,300 total attendees gathered to witness the historic fight card. At home, streaming peaked at 65 million concurrent streams watching around the world, with 38 million concurrent streams in the United States.
Fight Card Results
Below is a summary of the fight card and the results of each bout:
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| Fight | Result |
|---|---|
| Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson | Jake Paul won by Unanimous Decision |
| Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano | Katie Taylor defended her title |
| Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos | Mario Barrios maintained his title by split draw |
| Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes | Neeraj Goyat won by Unanimous Decision |
How to Watch
The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight streamed live on Netflix. To watch the fight, a Netflix subscription was required. Netflix offers several plans to suit different needs:
- Premium ($22.99 per month): Downloadable on six supported devices, watch on four devices at once, 4K (Ultra HD) video + HDR, Netflix Spacial Audio, unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games. May add two extra members who do not live in the household (for $7.99 each/month).
- Standard with ads ($6.99 per month): Downloadable on two supported devices, watch on two devices at once, HD video, includes all but a few movies and TV shows available with unlimited mobile games.
- Standard ($15.49 per month): Downloadable on two supported devices, watch on two devices at once, HD video, unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games. May add one extra member who does not live in the household (for $7.99 each/month).