More aggressive Jake Paul prevails over 58-year-old Mike Tyson
ARLINGTON, Texas — Jake Paul won a unanimous decision over Mike Tyson as the hits didn’t match the hype in a fight between a young YouTuber-turned-boxer and the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Friday night.
All the hate from the prefight buildup was gone, with Paul even stopping to pay homage with a bow to Tyson before the final bell sounded at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
The fight wasn’t close on the judges’ cards, with one giving Paul an 80-72 edge and the other two calling it 79-73.
The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell, and bowed toward 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Paying homage to one of the biggest names in boxing history didn’t do much for the fans that filled the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys on Friday night.
Paul won an eight-round unanimous decision over Tyson as the hits didn’t match the hype in a fight between the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former heavyweight champion in his first sanctioned pro bout in almost 20 years.
All the hate from the pre-fight buildup was gone, replaced by boos from bewildered fans hoping for more action in a fight that drew plenty of questions about its legitimacy long before it happened.
The fight wasn’t close on the judge’s cards, with one giving Paul an 80-72 edge and the other two calling it 79-73.
“Let’s give it up for Mike,” Paul said in the ring, not getting much response from a crowd that started filing out before the decision was announced. “He’s the greatest to ever do it. I look up to him. I’m inspired by him.”
Tyson came after Paul immediately after the opening bell and landed a couple of quick punches but didn’t try much else the rest of the way.
Even fewer rounds than the normal 10 or 12 and two-minute rounds instead of three, along with heavier gloves designed to lessen the power of punches, couldn’t do much to generate action.
Paul was more aggressive after the quick burst from Tyson in the opening seconds, but the punching wasn’t very efficient. There were quite a few wild swings and misses.
“I was trying to hurt him a little bit,” said Paul, who improved to 11-1. “I was scared he was going to hurt me. I was trying to hurt him. I did my best. I did my best.”
Tyson mostly sat back and waited for Paul to come to him, with a few exceptions. It was quite the contrast to the co-main event, another slugfest between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in which Taylor kept her undisputed super lightweight championship with another disputed decision.
It was the first sanctioned fight since 2005 for Tyson, who fought Roy Jones in a much more entertaining exhibition in 2020. Paul started fighting a little more than four years ago.
“I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself,” Tyson said when asked what it meant to complete the fight. “I’m not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.”
Tyson’s record is now 50-7 with 44 knockouts.
The fight was originally scheduled for July 20 but had to be postponed when Tyson was treated for a stomach ulcer after falling ill on a flight.
Tyson slapped Paul on the face during the weigh-in a night before the fight, and they traded insults in several of the hype events, before and after the postponement.
The hate was long gone by the end of the underwhelming fight.
“This guy’s always had my back,” Paul said about Tyson. “I love him. I love his family, his coaches. It’s just an honor to be in the ring with all of them.”
The fight set a Texas record for combat sports with a gate of nearly $18 million, according to organizers, and Netflix had problems with the feed in the streaming platform’s first live combat sports event. Netflix has more than 280 million subscribers globally.
“This is the biggest event,” Paul said. “Over 120 million people on Netflix. We crashed the site.”
Mario Barrios retained the WBC welterweight title in a draw with Abel Ramos on the undercard. Barrios was in control early before Ramos dominated the middle rounds. Each recorded a knockdown in the 12-round bout.
It was the first fight for the 29-year-old Barrios since he was appointed the WBC welterweight champ when Terence Crawford started the process of moving up from the 147-pound class.
Barrios, who is 29-2-1, had won the interim WBC title with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás last year. The 33-year-old Ramos is 28-6-3.
Round 8: Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson by unanimous decision
Mike Tyson’s comeback at the age of 58 ends with a loss, as YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul comfortably cruises to a unanimous decision victory via scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.
Paul landed 78 of 278 of his punches, while Tyson connected with just 18 of 97 of his own.
Paul improves his record to 11-1. Tyson falls to 50-7.
Round 8 recap: It’s rinse and repeat for Paul, who outboxes Tyson in the last round, just like he did in all of the rounds before. It was a unanimous decision win for Paul. Tyson likely won only won round — the first round — at the best. Paul landed eight of 43 in the eight round. Tyson landed only one of six.
Round 7: Jake Paul still in control against Mike Tyson
Jake Paul connects with a clean fight uppercut followed by a left hook. He is simply beating the fight out of Mike Tyson, who needs to find lighting in a bottle for a turn-back-the-clock-like knockout to beat Paul.
Paul landed 13 of 40 in the round. Tyson landed just three of nine.
Round 6: Mike Tyson looking tired against Jake Paul
Jake Paul is simply outworking and outboxing the boxer.
Mike Tyson is just standing there and taking the beating, albeit, not a health-altering one, or so it appears.
Paul landed nine of 30 in the round. Tyson was not credited with landing a single punch in a round for the second time in the fight.
Round 5: Jake Paul dominates most of the round
Mike Tyson connects with a left hook, his best shot of the round, but his offensive outbursts are few and far between.
Jake Paul dominates the rest of the round with perfectly placed right hands, bullying the Hall of Fame 31 years his senior. Paul landed 11 of 37 in the round. Tyson was two of 11.
Round 4: Jake Paul remains in control vs. Mike Tyson
Jake Paul continues to mount the pressure, but Mike Tyson just isn’t letting his hands go.
Paul uses ring generalship to outfox the legendary Tyson, who just doesn’t have the reflexes and determination at the age of 58.
According to CompuBox, Tyson didn’t land a single punch in the round. Paul was 9 of 31.
Round 3: Jake Paul takes control against Mike Tyson
Jake Paul lands three straight left hands that backs Mike Tyson and knocks him off balance.
Tyson repeatedly bites down on his glove to readjust his mouthpiece. Paul responds with a body shot and left up top.
Tyson appears to be in some trouble as fatigue begins to kick in for Tyson. Tyson also has some swelling around his right eye.
Paul lands 16 of 44. Tyson lands just 5 of 21.
Round 2: Jake Paul starts to connect against Mike Tyson
Jake Paul begins the round with a body shot. Mike Tyson retaliates with a looping left hook that is partially blocked by Paul.
Paul’s precise right hand connects to Tyson’s temple. It’s mostly a calculated round. Paul lands 6 of 28. Tyson lands 3 of 17.
Round 1: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul starts cautiously
Mike Tyson lands the first big shot with a right hand. Holding ensues by Jake Paul. Paul is cautious but unleashes a huge right hand that misses.
A second one from Paul lands but Tyson takes it well.
Tyson responds with a borderline shot to the waistline, and referee Mark Calo-oy warns Tyson to keep his punches up. Tyson landed four of 17 punches in the round. Paul landed six of 25.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul heavyweight fight is under way
The Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is in progress. Tyson immediately chased after Paul at the opening bell.
Paul and Tyson will be fighting two-minute rounds.
Mike Tyson makes his way to the ring
Mike Tyson made a much more traditional walk to the ring than Jake Paul, walking out ahead of his coaches and entourage in a determined march.
With his team wearing all black, Tyson entered the ring with a look of determination as he tries to beat the odds and defeat Paul.
Jake Paul rides to the ring in a decked out convertible
The ring “walks” are underway, but it’s more of ring “ride” for Jake Paul.
Riding in a decked out customized green convertible with his brother, Logan, at his side, Jake Paul made his way to the ring wearing a sparkling silver warm up pullover.
He eventually got out of the car and walked the rest of the way to ring, with Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” blaring through AT&T Stadium. Interestingly, that’s the same song Mike Tyson declared as his “favorite” during his appearance in the “Hangover” film.
Katie Taylor defeats Amanda Serrano in an instant classic
The sequel between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano had the tall task of living up to their first bout, which was a fight of the year and controversial split-decision win for Taylor.
And just like that first fight, the results were left to the judges in the co-main event, and it was Taylor again who barely sneaked by via unanimous decision win scores of 95-94, 95-94 and 95-94.
Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) retained her undisputed junior welterweight title in the instant classic war against Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs).
Serrano outlanded Taylor 324 to 217 while throwing 205 more punches (734) in the 10-round, foul-filled fight. But Serrano’s offensive onslaught was apparently not enough to even the score against her Irish rival.
Serrano set a high-drama tone in the first round when the Puerto Rican fighter connected on a head-rattling left hook. Taylor survived the onslaught, as the flurry came in the closing seconds.
Taylor performed better in the second round with several equalizing left hooks against her southpaw opponent.
A clash of heads in the fourth opened a gash across Serrano’s right eye.
Blood trickling down her face didn’t deter Serrano from charging forward in the fifth, and she ended the first half of the fight with a 92 to 66 punch advantage.
The action came to a stop in the sixth due to another headbutt, as the ringside physician took a closer look at Serrano’s cut.
Defense went out the door in the seventh as both Taylor and Serrano walked out of the corner and unleashed a flurry of punches to the crowd’s delight. Taylor capitalized by targeting the eye of Serrano. But she returned to her corner with a cut near her right eye as well. Taylor landed 35 punches in the round, and Serrano responded with a fight-high 54 of her own.
In the eighth, referee Jon Schorle deducted a point from Taylor for repeated headbutts. Serrano seemingly held the edge in the round, outlanding Taylor 36 to 24.
Serrano continued to battle in the ninth and tenth rounds, landing a combined 125 punches, but Taylor stayed in the fight just enough to retain her titles.
Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos battle to a split draw
Mario Barrios set the tone that his WBC welterweight title defense would be an intense, hard-fought fight in the first round by buckling the knees of Abel Ramos with a devastating straight right hand.
Although Barrios didn’t score the knockdown, the confidence-boosting blast allowed him to build rhythm and momentum.
Barrios scored the knockdown with another huge right hand, officially dropping Ramos.
Barrios cruised through the first five rounds but the underdog Ramos eventually recovered and went to on to deliver a surprise rally of his own in the sixth, courtesy of a series of head-rattling right hands. Barrios was hurt and tasted the canvas with a knockdown as well.
A revived Ramos fought his way back into the fight in the second half and won several rounds while disfiguring Barrios’ face.
Judges rewarded Ramos’ spirited efforts, as he walked away with a split draw.
One judge had it 114-112 for Ramos (28-6-3, 22 KOs), the other had it 116-110 for Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) while a third judge had it 113-113.
Watch: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul weigh-in, workout, and docuseries
While you wait for the main event matchup between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, look back at their weigh-in ceremony from Thursday, the press conference on Wednesday, and their public workout on Tuesday, and check out the behind-the-scenes content that has been produced for the docuseries.
Netflix takes a big swing into live sports with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight
About 2½ years ago in Costa Rica, YouTube star-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul had a vision.
Paul said that during an ayahuasca ceremony, he saw himself fighting former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, with millions of kids watching the match on their TVs and devices.
On Friday, that dream will become a reality, in Netflix’s first live-streamed, professionally sanctioned boxing match. The bout is by far the Los Gatos, Calif., streaming giant’s biggest sports event yet, and will probably be its highest-profile effort in live streaming to date.
Neeraj Goyat defeats Whindersson Nunes to open Tyson vs. Paul card
Neeraj Goyat, from India, and Whindersson Nunes, an entertainer from Brazil making his professional debut, opened the event because both were seemingly pegged to satisfy two of the top global markets for Netflix, which is streaming tonight’s fights.
The six-round super middleweight matchup was sloppy yet entertaining with some explosive exchanges, and Goyat proved that his professional boxing experience shouldn’t have been overlooked, scoring a unanimous decision win with scores of 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55.
Goyat landed 171 of 481 punches and Nunes countered with 87 of 364 shots.
Goyat, a 13-year pro fighter, improved his record to 20-4-2 with eight knockouts.
Looking back at the last time Mike Tyson fought in 2020
The last time Mike Tyson graced the ring was during an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in Los Angeles nearly four years ago.
Before that fight, I had an in-depth interview with Tyson about his latest act in life. Here are a couple of passages that encapsulated Tyson at the time, in his own words.
“I have to ask my wife and people what I was like in my 20s and 30s. I don’t really even remember my boxing career, or how I felt in particular fights. In my conscience and my ego, maybe I have shamed myself from that profession, so I blacked that out. I have guilt from that particular field that I was in.
“If my ego left, I could never reinvent myself. If I was steering my ship, I wouldn’t be here [and alive today]. I’m not smart enough to live in this universe on my own free will. … Young Mike believed he was God, and old Mike asks God to have mercy on his soul.”
Mike Tyson’s coach says boxer won’t underestimate Jake Paul
Billy White, Mike Tyson’s head coach, talked about how Tyson prepared for his fight against Jake Paul. White grew up with Tyson under the watchful eye of Cus D’Amato, Tyson’s manager, trainer and the man responsible for molding Tyson before he died in 1985. White was also Tyson’s coach during his 2020 exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr.
The question ‘How has training camp been going’ is cliche. But when you’re Mike Tyson at 58 years old, a lot of people are wondering exactly that. So, how was camp?
We understand that. Cus D’Amato taught us that age is nothing but a number. And because of that, we’re here today. In training, in spots, Mike reminds me of the times, doing the moves and sparring when he was 20. That right there makes him younger than Jake. Over time, all of the moves become second nature again. You can’t beat it.
How is Mike holding up physically during training and sparring?
He’s doing phenomenal, like he’s doing the moves damn near perfect. It’s amazing where he is at. He’s old school and new school combined. I don’t think there is a fighter in the history of the sport who trains as hard or works as hard as he does. He does three to five workouts a day. He’s so determined. Cus D’Amato said it’s 80% mental, 20% physical?
How are you preparing for Jake Paul’s power?
We say he’s going to run like a thief. We hope he slugs it out with our slugger. Nobody in the world survives a slugging contest with Mike Tyson, quite frankly.
What kind of danger does Jake present?
Cus taught us to never underestimate an opponent. Jake is doing something every man has said they wanted to do by simply taking a punch from Mike Tyson. He’s a Disney kid and YouTuber, but all due respect to him. He’s training every day. He’s very dangerous. His detriment is that he doesn’t have any amateur fights. He’s going to wilt to the pressure, and that’s ultimately going to be his downfall.
Is it going to be a quick knockout?
Look, Jake is going to try to kill the clock. That’s the bottom line. That’s his only hope. Stick and move and try to avoid the inevitable. It doesn’t matter what round it is. It’s coming. Mike will be stronger in the eighth round than he was in the first and every other round. That’s just how training has been going.
Are you concerned about the potential damage Tyson could be absorbing?
Absolutely not. Look, health comes first. I would be the first one to throw my hands around him and say, ‘Let’s walk off in the sunset.’ He’s a great husband and a great father. I’ve seen it firsthand. It’s just a beautiful sight to see.
What is the motivating factor for Tyson to fight now?
He’s always been that way. If you tell him he can’t do something, he’s going to prove you wrong. It’s history in the making. You’re going to have so many people watching. It doesn’t get better than that. His mass appeal after this is going to be just as big if not bigger than when it was in 1986 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick and became the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing.
How would you describe Tyson’s power?
They say you never lose your power. The proof is in the pudding when he hits the bag and when he’s sparring. His sparring partners tell me he’s hitting hard, and that’s with 18-ounce gloves. When he hits Jake with 14-ounce gloves, he’s in trouble. Mike’s determination, discipline, and dedication are just incredible. He’s the ultimate warrior, and not just in boxing.
Cus died nearly 40 years ago. How do you think his spirit still lives with Mike today?
We talk about him every day. His name comes up in the gym every day. He’s ingrained in us. Mike has his PhD from Cus. It doesn’t get better than that. Every time we go home, we pour a bottle of Dom Pérignon on Cus and his wife Camille’s gravesite. Cus loved champagne and always loved to celebrate victories with champagne.
What would Cus say about Mike today?
You did it. He overcame every obstacle. He’s a chameleon. He’s a phoenix. He rises above the ashes no matter what happens to him in the game of life.
Mike Tyson: ‘I’m coming out like a rocket to hurt Jake Paul’
Here’s what Mike Tyson had to say about Friday’s fight heavyweight fight with Jake Paul in my one-on-one interview with him:
Mike, when you and I last met for an extended interview, you told me boxing was the last thing you wanted to be a part of. What has changed since? What are you trying to achieve with this fight against Jake Paul?
Times change. I was a different person back then. I was doing different things. It’s time for me to come back. I did the Roy Jones Jr. exhibition in 2020 and now I want to do it again.
Why do you believe you are better today than you were when you retired in 2005?
I was a different person then. I was using narcotics and alcohol back then. I’m not that person anymore. I see a better picture of myself. I see light. I see the world from a different perspective now.
Who is Mike Tyson today? How do you want to reintroduce yourself to the world?
I’m just a person with good intentions. Like everyone else, I’m just passing through this world. Nothing serious.
What is your message to those who are concerned and saying you shouldn’t be fighting at the age of 58?
I don’t know. Thank you very much for being concerned. But I am fighting. I’m going to be OK.
We all know how near and dear Cus D’mato was to you. What would Cus be telling you right now if he was still around?
He would be so happy that I’m doing this and proving to the world that age is nothing but a number.
How do you feel training for a fight at the age of 58?
The only difference is that I get more massages now. A lot of therapy.
I feel great. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, I box eight rounds and I’m sparring young guys between the ages of 27 and 30. They hit me really hard. It wasn’t a picnic when I first started training. They really gave me a shellacking at first.
What’s the most significant risk you’re worried about heading into this fight?
What am I worried about? There is nothing I can think of, or nothing that I am contemplating.
How is your speed and power at this age?
I don’t think it’s bad. You’ll be surprised if you think it’s not that good. I’m going the distance every day in the gym. I’m prepared. I’m in condition.
How do you plan to come out of the corner once the first round begins?
Like a rocket.
There’s been a lot of back and forth between you and Jake about killing each other. Is that just the old Mike talking? Or do you really feel that way?
Hey, listen. My intentions are to go in there, fight hard, and hurt him.
How are you channeling into the old Mike mentally? Are you going back to any of your tried and true tactics?
I’m going in there, but I am also dealing with the reality that this is how I have to fight him in a particular way.
What would a fight between a 27-year-old Mike Tyson look like against Jake Paul?
It might not look good for Jake. I’ll leave that up to you.
Do you respect Jake as a boxer? Is he any good?
He’s good enough to get to the level to fight me.
Sportsbooks have you listed as the betting underdog. What’s your response to that?
It’s OK. I don’t mind that. I [have confidence in] myself.
What’s your warning message to Jake?
Take it very seriously.
How would you have done in today’s heavyweight division against Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua?
I’m just confident that I would have done well. I’m not going to say, ‘This guy and that guy was going to kick my ass.’ No, I’m not going to say that.
How do the heavyweights of today compare to your time?
Do you think Anthony Joshua would beat Lennox Lewis? My era had good fighters.
How excited are you to be back on the big stage? I was born to do this. I was built for this stuff. I was born to sell out stadiums. This is what I always wanted to do my entire life.
Do you have your eyes on any other opponents after Jake?
Yeah, but I’ll keep it to myself.
Is this the last time we will ever see you in the ring?
The sky is the limit. We’ll see. I’m interested in doing it again.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul sets a Texas record
Most Valuable Promotions announced Friday that the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight surpassed $17.8 million in gate revenue to become the highest-grossing combat sports event in Texas history.
The event is being held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The previous Texas record was $9 million in 2021 when Canelo Álvarez fought Billy Joe Saunders at AT&T Stadium, a fight that set the record for the largest indoor attendance for a boxing event in the United States with 73,126 fans.
Sixty-five thousand fans are expected to attend Tyson vs. Paul.
By the numbers: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
7,097: Days since Mike Tyson last fought in a professional boxing match on June 11, 2005, a sixth-round stoppage loss to journeyman Kevin McBride.
14/8/2: Tyson and Paul will be wearing 14-ounce gloves, which is four ounces more than the standard 10-ounce gloves boxers wear, and the professional bout is scheduled for eight rounds at two minutes each.
73,126: Record for the largest indoor attendance for a boxing event in the United States that the event could break, set by Canelo Alvarez’s knockout win against Billy Joe Saunders in 2021 at AT&T Stadium, the same venue where the fight between Tyson and Paul takes place. The previous mark before Alvarez vs. Saunders was 63,350 for the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks rematch in 1978 at the Superdome in New Orleans.
65,000: Expected attendance for the event, which would mark the biggest live crowd for a Tyson fight.
3 out of 4: Fights Tyson lost before retiring in 2005.
5 out of 10: Most-watched boxing matches based on pay-per-view buys in the United States that have featured Tyson as the headliner.
5: Years Jake Paul has been boxing professionally.
6: Wins Paul has in boxing matches against reputable MMA opponents in Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley (twice), and Ben Askren.
7: Of the 38 states where sports betting is legal in the United States will not be accepting any bets on the fight because of the fight’s unique rules.
19: Consecutive wins via knockout by Tyson to begin his career.
20 years, 4 months, and 22 days: Age that Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history by knocking out Trevor Berbick on Nov. 22, 1986.
42 to 1: Odds in favor of Tyson when Buster Douglas shockingly knocked him out in Japan in 1990 for his first career loss.
3: Years Tyson served in prison from 1992 to 1995 for a rape conviction.
21: Years since Tyson last won a professional boxing match, a first-round KO of Clifford Etienne in 2003.
31: Years of age difference between Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27.
47: Fights into Tyson’s pro career when Jake Paul was born in 1997, months before Tyson had his rematch and “Bite Fight” with Evander Holyfield.
2011: The year Tyson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
2020: The last time Tyson fought in any capacity, facing Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match, outlanding him 67 to 37 over eight, two-minute rounds.
25: Pounds Tyson said he lost after suffering an ulcer flare-up in May that forced the Paul fight to be postponed by four months from its original date of July 20.
8: Blood transfusions Tyson said he needed to survive the ulcer flare-up, indicating that he lost half his blood and almost died.
79 million: Followers Jake Paul has on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and Snapchat.
78 million: Followers Mike Tyson has on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and Snapchat.
282.7 million: Netflix subscribers worldwide, which could make Tyson vs. Paul the highest-viewed fight of the 21st century.
Tale of the tape between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul
MIKE TYSON
Age: 58
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Residence: Henderson, Nev.
Record: 50-6, 44 KOs
Nickname: Iron Mike
Total rounds fought: 215
Knockout Ratio: 88%
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Reach: 71 inches
Weight: 228.4 pounds
Stance: Orthodox
Trainers: Billy White and Rafael Cordeiro
Turned Professional: 1985
Notable wins: Michael Spinks, Tony Tucker, Larry Holmes, Trevor Berbick, Frank Bruno (twice), Donovan Ruddock (twice)
Notable losses: Evander Holyfield (twice), Lennox Lewis, Buster Douglas
JAKE PAUL
Age: 27
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Residence: Dorado, Puerto Rico
Record: 10-1, 7 KOs
Nickname: The Problem Child
Total rounds fought: 52
Knockout Ratio: 70%
Height: 6 feet 1 inch
Reach: 76 inches
Weight: 227.2 pounds
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: J’Leon Love and Larry Wade
Turned Professional: 2019
Notable wins: Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley (twice), Ben Askren, Mike Perry
Notable loss: Tommy Fury
Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor featured on Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul card
The card headlined by Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) vs. Jake Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) will stream on Netflix beginning at 5 p.m. PDT and will be complemented by three other fights.
In the co-main event, Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) will meet in a highly anticipated rematch for the undisputed super lightweight title after their thrilling 2021 fight that sold out the Madison Square Garden in New York. Taylor eeked out a split-decision win in the women’s fight of the year.
Preceding Taylor vs. Serrano will be WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) defending his title against Abel Ramos (28-6-2, 22 KOs).
Kicking off the card will be a contest between super middleweight Neeraj Goyat (18-4-2, 8 KOs) and professional debuting fighter Whindersson Nunes.
The preliminary card will kick off on the Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube page, the Netflix Sports YouTube and Tudum beginning at 2:30 p.m. PDT with the following fights.
- Bruce Carrington (13-0, 8 KOs) vs. Dana Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs) — eight rounds, featherweight
- Lucas Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) vs. Armando Casamonica (14-0, 3 KOs) — 10 rounds, super lightweight
- Shadasia Green (14-1, 11 KOs) vs. Melinda Watpool (7-0, 2 KOs) — 10 rounds for the vacant WBO super middleweight title
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul will fight under special rules
The bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will be a professional boxing match and reflected on their records, but it was sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with a special set of rules.
The fight is scheduled for eight rounds at two minutes each instead of the traditional three minutes per round.
Both fighters will wear 14-ounce gloves instead of the customary 10-ounce gloves fighters wear.
Experts predict the winner of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Experts make their picks and predictions for the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight:
What a weird event. I can’t think of anything even remotely like this in terms of the level of fighters, celebrity and their ages. It’s a cynical cash grab. I can’t see it being particularly entertaining as a high-level sporting event but I’m sure once it starts you won’t be able to take your eyes off it. That’s not always a positive thing to say, bear in mind. I fear for Mike. Fourteen-ounce gloves won’t protect his brain from further damage and he’s 58 years old. He was a spent bullet two decades ago and he’s hardly lived the life since. If it’s a staged show, like an odd sitcom, I could see a draw. But if it is an actual sport then the average Paul can cover up for two minutes, ride out the early storm, and batter the exhausted Tyson into defeat.
— Tris Dixon, editor in chief, Boxing Scene
My first instinct on this “fight” prediction is to ask: Is this a serious question? Do we think there’s a chance either guy can win? That both will try their damndest to win? That kismet and time and circumstances will make this competitive in any sort of real way? I’ll be watching. But I just don’t see it. I see a glorified exhibition that will make a lot of people a lot of money. I see a “professional” boxer in Paul who deserves more credit than given for his actual in-ring improvements, but whose record, in those pro ranks, is hard to take seriously. Like: we’re really going to count KO-ing a far smaller, far lighter, far older retired NBA guard as a “pro” win? Come on! I don’t mind the Jake Paul experience in an overall sense. It should just be framed in the right ways. Which leads to the prediction here: 1) The fight will be a spectacle. 2) It’ll be kinda cool to watch boxing, even this kind of “boxing,” on Netflix. 3) They’ll either tie or Tyson will win by decision. 4) The fight itself will not be much of one. 5) The ratio of revenue earned to the actual risk taken will continue to incentivize those involved with the recent trend of gimmick fights. Although, all that said, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying ... it sure would be fun to see Tyson knock Paul into next week, no? Instant national hero status if that happens.
— Greg Bishop, Sports Illustrated senior writer
A battle for the ages, or maybe just age. But make no mistake about it – it’s a huge marketing event with a massive audience guaranteed. Jake Paul gets to realize his dream having been caught by the boxing bug, and Mike Tyson looks to find the fire in him one more time. Nearly three decades apart in age, Paul’s fans believe their guy can defeat a boxing icon. In my opinion, if Paul can keep the fight going into the eighth round he could get the decision. For the first two rounds, Tyson will look to eviscerate Paul. If he catches Paul, it could all be over. But Paul will stay on the outside and also hold, as the much heavier man. It even feels slightly bizarre writing a preview on this, but we are where we are. Personally, I had to be here to witness what will be a record-breaking event.
— Gareth A. Davies, boxing correspondent, Daily Telegraph
Who would have ever thought that Tyson would be in a marketable boxing match at 58? The outcome to this fight depends on which half it ends. If it ends early, it could be a Tyson KO. That is when he’ll have energy and will likely be very aggressive. If it goes later, then Paul is in a better position to win by a late stoppage or decision. Honestly, I can’t say with conviction which scenario will play out.
— Al Bernstein, broadcaster, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee
I genuinely thought I would go to my grave knowing that I did the blow-by-blow of Mike Tyson’s final professional fight. No, I don’t count Tyson’s bout with Corey Sanders in 2006, nor his 2020 fight against Roy Jones Jr. Those were exhibition matches. Mike’s last “official” fight, one of many Tyson fights I called, including the infamous “Bite Fight,” was June 11, 2005, in Washington, D.C. when he said enough is enough prior to the seventh round against a journeyman named Kevin McBride. Tyson was just shy of his 39th birthday. So now we have Tyson-Paul. It’s sanctioned in Texas, but to me it doesn’t feel like the real deal. I give Mike a lot of credit for getting himself in excellent condition some 19 years after his last officially sanctioned bout. Given my respect for Mike’s ring skills in his prime and the many thrills he provided for us on Showtime Championship Boxing through the years, my heart is with Team Tyson. While the Hall of Famer clearly owns the experience factor, the 31-year age difference is obviously concerning. The biggest winner of the night will probably be Netflix.
— Steve Albert, broadcaster, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee
I have too much respect for boxing and its legends to want to see someone like Jake Paul stopping Mike Tyson. But it’s hard to ignore that 31-year age difference and I think the referee is going to have a quick trigger finger when it comes to stopping the fight. I would love to be wrong and see Mike obliterate Jake, but I don’t anticipate that happening. Paul by late stoppage, but this is the last outcome I want to see.
— Kevin Iole, founder, KevinIole.com
Tyson is an iconic fighter and one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time. When I first started covering boxing it was at the tail end of Tyson’s career about 25 years ago and when I covered what we all thought was his final fight against Kevin McBride almost 20 years ago he was a completely shot fighter in his late 30s then. He will not have improved 20 years later. Father Time is forever undefeated. This is not the Tyson so many romanticize about. And while Jake is no top contender, he is strong, hungry, 27 and not used up. Tyson will give it a go but get stopped or quit.
— Dan Rafael, founder, Fight Freaks Unite
The only sure winner is Netflix, which has managed to turn the enduring fascination in Mike Tyson into an event that figures to draw a much bigger audience for a real heavyweight fight, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2, next month. There’s just not much real fury left in Mike anymore. It’s a memory, both for him and young fans who for some reason think the 58-year-old Tyson can conquer Father Time and Jake Paul. He can’t. The 27-year-old Paul knows that. Time is more than Paul’s ally. It, more than Paul, will beat Tyson. It beats us all, perhaps because of an unforeseen injury or just because of an inevitable erosion in reflexes and energy.
Evander Holyfield beat Tyson twice. Twenty-four years after their infamous Bite Fight, a 58-year-old Holyfield lost to a mix-martial-arts fighter, Vitor Belfort, who agreed to do the event just eight days before the show. Within two minutes of opening bell, Holyfield went down, falling to the canvas in a chaotic crash of uncoordinated legs and limbs. Holyfield got up, but without any of the instinctive response he would’ve had three decades earlier. It was gone, washed away by nearly three decades. He was finished a minute into the first round. It was sad, yet inevitable. Then. And now. Exactly when and how that inevitability will arrive Friday night? Impossible to say. But it will. Best guess: Tyson surrenders to time and Paul sometime after the fifth round.
— Norm Frauenheim, writer, the Boxing Hour
There are a few scenarios of how Mike Tyson’s return can go. If you look at the failed return of Evander Holyfield, there can be real fears of Mike being knocked out early at his age. The punch resistance and movement just aren’t there anymore as he approaches his 60s, no matter how hard he trains. However, Mike is well capable of pulling out one of his old deadly hooks or a thunderous uppercut to take Paul out early. The smart money, though, should be on a clinchfest going the distance to save face for both. At 10/1 there could be money to be made as Paul won’t want the fallout that will come if he knocks out an old, aged and slow Tyson.
— Phil Jay, editor, World Boxing News
The sanctioned eight-round fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will be the topic of discussion worldwide until the bell rings for round one of their fight. Unfortunately, once the fight begins, the reality of those remixed 10-second training videos from Tyson’s Instagram account will poke its ugly head out. Tyson will show flashes of his former self in the first three rounds. After Paul weathers that storm, he will box his way to a split decision victory, which not only gives him the win but also saves face with the man who used to be once known as “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
— Abraham Gonzalez, founder, FightsATW.com
How can I possibly pick the winner of something that looks more like a “money grab” than a fight? It’s an event between an influencer who barely has enough fights to be an open-class amateur and a 58-year-old ex-fighter who lost his last two fights over 20 years ago. I know. I’ll flip a coin. Heads say Tyson wins. Tails it’s Paul. Hold on — It’s heads. Tyson wins! Decision or knockout? I’ll flip again. Heads says Tyson by KO. Tails, it’ll be a decision. It’s tails! There you go: Tyson wins by decision, and that’s the only real way I can make a pick for an event like this.
— Randy Gordon, SiriusXM Fight Nation host of “At the Fights”
I’m not going to waste my time and write a few hundred words as to why this bout shouldn’t be happening. It’s OK to embrace the circus sometimes. Mike Tyson and his legacy will be fine. It’s only eight, two-minute rounds with bigger gloves to minimize power punches. Hopefully, with these rules, the 58-year-old Tyson can take Jake Paul to school. Paul’s a great promoter for the sport, but most of his success in the ring has occurred against over-the-hill MMA fighters. The YouTuber lost to the one true professional boxer he’s faced, and that was against Tommy Fury, who’s not even close to being a championship-level fighter. So Tyson does have a chance of pulling off the upset, giving us enough reason to tune in on Friday. And why not watch it? It’s not on pay-per-view for an absurd price. Most of us have Netflix already. Hopefully, this is the beginning of boxing going away from the outdated PPV model. Now that I somehow found a way to endorse this spectacle that’s happening in Jerry’s World, I’m taking Tyson by decision. Shock the world, Iron Mike!
— Gilberto Manzano, staff writer, Sports Illustrated & co-founder of Compas on the Beat
It’s happening whether you like it or not. The 58-year-old Tyson is taking it seriously, abstaining from alcohol and cannabis while training. He looks fit and huge. But Father Time can only give so much. The 27-year-old Paul makes up for lack of skills with youth and power. It’s a boxing truism that power is the last skill to go. But power alone isn’t enough. Ask Anderson Silva, who didn’t have the skills at 47 to prevail over Paul. Lacking speed and footwork, Tyson won’t beat Paul. I dearly hope Paul and Tyson agreed on a script where Paul bests Tyson by decision. Paul gets credit for winning and not getting knocked out. Tyson gets credit for lasting until the bell and taking fans down memory lane without getting hurt.
— Gayle Falkenthal, West Coast bureau chief, NYFights.com
I can’t believe I’m making a prediction for a “fight” between 58-year-old Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, a big, strong man 31 years his junior. If this were an exhibition, one in which the participants dance a bit and trade a few light punches, that would be acceptable. However, somehow Texas authorities designated this a sanctioned bout, which leaves Tyson in a perilous position. The former heavyweight champion looked horrible in his last sanctioned bout, a sixth-round knockout loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. And that was almost two decades ago. Paul isn’t an elite boxer, but he’s young and has learned enough to handle himself against a shell of a fighter, whose training videos are deceptive. If the participants actually try to hurt each other, Paul will stop Tyson with an accumulation of punches. We can only hope that the old man doesn’t get seriously hurt.
— Michael Rosenthal, boxing writer
At 27, Jake Paul has become a decent boxer and has something precious on his side: youth. At 58, Mike Tyson should worry more about his health than winning this fight. Due to the considerable age difference, talking about boxing skills and talent is useless. There is also the possibility of an unexpected outcome since we are talking about a YouTuber fighting a 58-year-old on Netflix, and anything can happen on these types of shows. I hope we don’t see an embarrassing performance by Tyson, like when 58-year-old Evander Holyfield was beaten by Vitor Belfort three years ago. Jake Paul wins comfortably.
— Eduard Cauich, sports reporter, L.A. Times en Español
Tyson could barely hold it against 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. back in an exhibition match in November 2020, what makes you think he’ll do better against a 27-year-old bad boy in Jake Paul? Not that “Iron Mike” isn’t a bad boy himself in the ring, but he is 58 years old. Tyson, one of the greatest to ever do it, might have recovered from ulcer flare-up that impeded the fight to happen back in July, but he can’t stop time, and time isn’t in his favor. Paul might want to play the waiting game to tire Tyson and then go deep into the attack to secure a stoppage. But I see a Paul win via points.
— Jad El Reda, sports reporter, L.A. Times en Español
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul betting odds
Jake Paul is listed as a -200 betting favorite and Mike Tyson is listed as a +160 betting underdog, according to DraftKings. The over/under line on the number of rounds the fight is set to last is 6.5. A full breakdown of bets and methods of victory can be seen here, as offered by DraftKings.
Dan Canobbio, a betting analyst for DraftKings, shared his following commentary:
“Like it or not, Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul is happening for the world to see. Not only will it be widely viewed but it’s expected to be the most wagered-on sporting event of the year — and the lines are interesting.
“Jake Paul, nearly 27 years younger than Tyson, who is 58, is the betting favorite. Iron Mike is a very tempting underdog. But before placing your bets, you must factor in Tyson’s age and the fact that he hasn’t been in a sanctioned fight since 2005 and hasn’t won a fight (in a ring) since 2003.
“But nostalgia is a hell of a drug, and I can’t lie, some of these Tyson training clips have me thinking he can turn back the hands of time. If you want to wager on Tyson, the best bet is for him to stop Paul in Rounds One or Two. That is a fun bet.
“The longer this fight goes on, the more Paul is at an advantage. Tyson will tire out. Paul might be inexperienced, but he’s strong and trains hard. The odds for Paul by stoppage might be too good to pass up. Sorry, Mike, you’re still a legend.”
How to watch Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight
The fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will stream globally and exclusively on Netflix at no extra cost to subscribers beginning at 5 p.m. PST.
If you are not one of Netflix’s nearly 283 million subscribers, you can become one starting at $6.99 a month.
If “Netflix and Chill” is not your thing, On Tap Sports has a directory for sports bars and restaurants streaming the event.
The broadcast will be available in English, Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese, French and German.
Ring walks for Tyson and Paul are expected to begin around 8:55 p.m. PST.