It was the fight that felt like a fever dream. If you've spent any time on social media or near a TV lately, you already know the vibe. 70,000 people packed into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Millions more—roughly 65 million, according to Netflix—tried to stream it simultaneously, mostly while cursing at their buffering screens.
But when the dust settled and the 14-ounce gloves came off, the answer to who won Tyson or Paul was clear on the scorecards, even if the fans in the building weren't exactly thrilled.
Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson via unanimous decision.
The judges didn't even make it close. One turned in an 80-72 scorecard, while the other two saw it as 79-73. Basically, Paul won almost every single round. Honestly, it wasn't the "Baddest Man on the Planet" performance people were nostalgic for. It was a 27-year-old athlete moving around a 58-year-old legend who, quite frankly, looked every bit of his nearly six decades.
The Reality of the Scorecards
People want to know the "how" behind the "who." Tyson came out like a man possessed in the first sixty seconds. He had that classic bob and weave, that terrifying forward pressure that made him a global icon in the 80s. For a moment, you could almost hear the ghosts of 1986.
Then, reality set in.
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By the third round, Iron Mike's legs looked heavy. He was wearing a knee brace, which he later brushed off, but you could see it. He couldn't close the distance. Paul, on the other hand, stayed on the outside, using a stiff jab and a 31-year age advantage to keep the legend at bay.
The stats from CompuBox are actually pretty jarring:
- Jake Paul: Landed 78 of 278 punches (28.1%).
- Mike Tyson: Landed only 18 of 97 punches (18.6%).
Tyson threw fewer than 100 punches over the entire eight rounds. That’s about 12 punches a round. In a real professional fight, that’s usually a sign of a fighter who is just trying to survive, not win. Paul clearly had the upper hand, but he didn't go for the kill. In fact, in the final ten seconds, Paul literally stopped fighting and bowed to Tyson. It was a sign of respect, sure, but the crowd hated it. They wanted a knockout; they got a tribute.
Why the Fight Felt "Off"
There’s a reason people are still debating this result. It wasn't just a boxing match; it was a modified professional bout. The rounds were only two minutes long instead of the standard three. The gloves were 14 ounces rather than the usual 10-ounce pillows used in heavyweight fights.
These rules were specifically designed to protect a 58-year-old man from taking too much damage.
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You’ve got to give Tyson credit for even getting in there. Remember, this fight was supposed to happen in July, but it got pushed back because he had an ulcer flare-up on a plane. The guy was literally hospitalized months before the bell rang.
What This Means for Jake Paul
For the "Problem Child," this was a win-win on paper but a complicated one for his legacy. He’s now 11-1. He beat a former undisputed heavyweight champion. But did he really?
Critics like KSI and Sean Strickland were quick to call it "elderly abuse" on social media. Even the Texas crowd began booing by the sixth round because the action had slowed to a crawl. Paul proved he could sell a massive event—probably the most-watched fight in modern history—but he didn't necessarily prove he belongs in the ring with a current top-ten heavyweight.
He made a reported $40 million for his efforts. Tyson walked away with about $20 million. At that price point, maybe nobody truly "loses."
Tyson’s Perspective
Mike Tyson doesn't seem to care about the critics. After the fight, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had "no regrets." He mentioned that he almost died in June, had eight blood transfusions, and lost half his blood and 25 pounds in the hospital.
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"To have my children see me stand toe-to-toe and finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age... is an experience that no man has a right to ask for," he said.
Tyson even joked about fighting Jake's brother, Logan Paul, next. Logan's response? "I'd kill you, Mike." Typical Paul brother energy, but it shows that the "Tyson era" might not be as closed as we thought, even if the results are no longer in the win column.
Actionable Takeaways from the Paul-Tyson Result
If you're looking for the "bottom line" on how this changes the boxing landscape, here are a few points to consider:
- The Streaming Era is Here (Sort of): Netflix proved they can pull 60+ million viewers for live sports, but they also proved their infrastructure wasn't ready for that kind of load. Expect better tech but more "influencer" matchups on streaming platforms.
- Age Matters: Despite Tyson’s "different species" comments, the 31-year age gap was the largest in boxing history for a reason. Reflexes and cardio don't care about your legacy.
- Paul's Next Move: Watch for Paul to pivot back toward "legitimate" boxers in their prime or MMA stars who are nearing the end of their contracts. He needs a knockout to win back the fans who felt this fight was a "sparring session."
- Health and Safety: If you are a fan of older legends returning, keep an eye on the regulatory bodies. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) faced heat for sanctioning this as a pro fight. Other states might be more restrictive moving forward.
The result is in the record books: Jake Paul won. But for most fans, the real winner was nostalgia, even if it left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth once the final bell rang.
If you want to track what's next, keep an eye on the official rankings. Paul is eyeing a cruiserweight title shot within the next 24 months. Whether the boxing world lets him get there after a performance like this remains to be seen.