The heavyweight professional boxing match between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson, held on November 15, 2024, captivated and stirred controversy across the globe.
Jake Paul faces off against Mike Tyson before their match.
The fight, originally scheduled for July 20, was postponed due to Tyson's stomach ulcer flare-up and was eventually rescheduled for November.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Who Will Win? Expert Predictions and Breakdown
Fight Details and Rules
The bout was sanctioned as a professional bout by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, with some regulations based on masters boxing for amateur participants over 35.
- Rounds: Eight rounds
- Round Duration: Two minutes each (used in women's and amateur masters boxing)
- Glove Weight: 14-ounce gloves (slightly lighter than the masters boxing rule of 16 ounces)
In the first round, both fighters entered in an orthodox stance, both throwing punches at each other.
Read also: Mike Tyson vs. Brock Lesnar?
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.
The Outcome
Paul won via unanimous decision.
Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in a fight that went all 8 rounds.
Jake Paul is your winner by unanimous decision. AT&T Stadium was not pleased as the announcement was made.
Jake Paul shows respect to Tyson at the end of Round 8, bowing to Tyson instead of going for the knockout. Tyson will need a knockout to win this fight.
Read also: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Tyson looked a bit better in Round 5, but Paul is still controlling the fight.
The social media star appeared to tempt Tyson into throwing a haymaker and he did not.
Paul continues to use his reach advantage to prod at Tyson.
The former heavyweight champ doesn't appear to have much left to mount an attack.
Things are not looking good for Tyson.
Read also: A Look at Tyson Sausage Patties' Nutritional Value
Controversy and Criticism
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.
Fighter Stats
| Fighter | Age | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Paul | 27 | 227 lbs |
| Mike Tyson | 58 | 228 lbs |
Undercard Highlights
- Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: After 10 rounds, the judges unanimously give the fight to Katie Taylor.
- Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos: We have a draw! Mario Barrios retains the WBC welterweight title.
- Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes: The first fight of the main card goes to Neeraj Goyat of India. Goyat dominated the fight against Whindersson Nunes.
Netflix and Live Streaming Issues
Netflix experienced significant issues during the livestream, with many users reporting buffering and access problems.
The DownDetector saw a surge in reports, with over 54,000 customers experiencing issues.
This event served as a major test for Netflix as a live-streaming service, especially with their upcoming partnership with the NFL for a Christmas Day doubleheader.
Netflix logo displayed on a mobile phone screen.
Pre-Fight Preparations and Comments
During the weigh-in, tensions flared when Jake Paul stepped on Mike Tyson's toes, leading to Tyson slapping Paul.
Paul later mocked Tyson for biting Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997 by wearing a diamond-studded ear piece during a pre-fight news conference.