Honestly, if you ask three different boxing fans about when was Mike Tyson's last fight, you’re probably going to get three different answers. It sounds crazy. He’s one of the most famous humans on the planet, but his "final" exit from the ring has been a moving target for decades.
For the longest time, the history books said 2005. Then 2020 happened, and the world got weird. Then came the Netflix era.
If you’re looking for the absolute latest time Iron Mike laced up the gloves for a sanctioned, professional bout that actually counts on his record, the answer is November 15, 2024.
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The Night in Texas: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
We have to talk about the Arlington spectacle. It was a massive event at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Netflix streamed it to millions, and the hype was, quite frankly, exhausting.
Tyson was 58. Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter, was 27.
That 31-year age gap is the largest in the history of professional boxing. Think about that for a second. When Mike was at his absolute peak, terrorizing the heavyweight division in the late 80s, Jake Paul wasn’t even a thought.
The fight itself? It was... complicated.
It wasn't a "fake" exhibition like many expected. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) actually sanctioned it as a professional fight. That means it went on their permanent records. They used 14-ounce gloves—slightly heavier than the standard 10-ounce ones to add a bit of a safety cushion—and the rounds were shortened to two minutes instead of three.
How it went down
Tyson came out looking like the "Baddest Man on the Planet" for about 60 seconds. He moved his head, he threw a couple of those trademark hooks, and the crowd went mental. But father time is undefeated.
By the third round, Mike’s legs looked heavy. He was biting his glove—a nervous habit he’s had for years—and mostly just trying to survive the younger man's output. Paul, to his credit, didn't go for a brutal knockout of a legend. He boxed from the outside, landed his jab, and coasted to a unanimous decision victory.
The final scorecards were 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
It was a somber end for many purists who wanted to see one last vintage KO. Instead, they got a 58-year-old icon showing incredible heart just to stand there for 16 minutes. After the fight, Tyson even posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he "lost but still won" because he had nearly died from an ulcer flare-up earlier in the year and just getting back to health was the real victory.
The "Other" Last Fights: A History of Goodbyes
If you're confused because you remember him retiring years ago, you aren't wrong. Tyson has "ended" his career multiple times.
1. The Pro Retirement (June 11, 2005)
For nearly 20 years, this was the definitive answer to when was Mike Tyson's last fight. He fought a journeyman named Kevin McBride in Washington, D.C.
It was painful to watch. Tyson was exhausted by the sixth round. He tried to break McBride's arm in a clinch and intentionally head-butted him out of pure frustration. When the bell rang for the seventh round, Mike stayed on his stool. He quit.
In the post-fight interview with Jim Gray, Mike famously said, "I don't have the guts to be in this sport anymore." He looked broken. He was broke financially, too. That was supposed to be the end of the story.
2. The Pandemic Comeback (November 28, 2020)
Then came the Roy Jones Jr. exhibition. This didn't count on his professional record ($50-6$ at the time), but it was a massive cultural moment.
They fought at the Staples Center during the height of COVID-19 with no fans. Surprisingly, Tyson looked great. He was ripped, fast, and seemed to have found his love for the gym again. The fight was ruled an "unofficial draw," though most people who watched it thought Mike clearly won. This event is what eventually paved the way for the Jake Paul mega-fight four years later.
Why the Date Matters for His Legacy
When you look at Tyson's record now, it stands at 50 wins and 7 losses. That seventh loss is the Jake Paul fight.
Some fans hate that he let a "content creator" put a dent in his legendary stats. Others argue that at 58, the stats don't matter—only the courage to get in there does.
Here is the breakdown of his "Final" fights by category:
- Last Professional Fight (Current): November 15, 2024, vs. Jake Paul (Loss).
- Last Professional Win: February 22, 2003, vs. Clifford Etienne (KO in 49 seconds).
- Last Exhibition: November 28, 2020, vs. Roy Jones Jr. (Draw).
- The Original "Retirement" Fight: June 11, 2005, vs. Kevin McBride (Loss).
What We Learned from Mike’s Final Walk
Boxing is a young man's game, but Mike Tyson isn't a normal man. Even in 2024, he was still drawing the biggest viewership numbers in the sport's history.
If you're tracking his career for historical purposes, the 2024 date is the one you need for the "official" record. It showed us that while the power is the last thing to go, the legs are the first.
Next Steps for Boxing Fans:
If you want to dive deeper into how Tyson's stats compare to other legends who fought too long, I'd recommend looking up Muhammad Ali’s final bout against Trevor Berbick or Larry Holmes’ late-career run. It’s a common, if bittersweet, pattern in the heavyweight division.
Check out the official replay on Netflix if you want to see the 2024 movement for yourself—just keep your expectations realistic. It’s a 58-year-old legend, not the 1986 "Iron Mike."
Data Accuracy Note: All dates and fight results are based on official records from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and BoxRec as of early 2026.