Globally streamed boxing event, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, was one of the most anticipated live television events of the year, featuring Jake Paul, a former Youtube star turned professional boxer, in a face-off against the legendary retired American professional boxer, Mike Tyson. This matchup was held at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, showcasing the clash between Paul’s rising career as a professional boxer and Tyson’s enduring legacy in the sport.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations sanctioned the match as professional, with slightly modified rules. The fight consisted of eight rounds lasting two minutes each, a format more aligned with amateur boxing rules than traditional masters’ boxing regulations.
Originally scheduled to take place on June 20, 2024, the match was moved to Nov. 15, 2024, following Tyson’s unexpected health issue. He experienced an ulcer flare-up while boarding a flight, sparking widespread concern over the internet, with many questioning whether the 58-year-old Tyson was still fit to compete against Paul, who is 31 years his junior.
This event gained immense popularity on the internet, with reminders of the fight appearing on every kind of major social media platform, ultimately capturing the attention of the Emery community. Students and faculty all throughout the Emery community watched this event take place over a livestream. Emery/Weiner senior and avid sports fan, Dawson Tiras, hosted a watch party with friends to enjoy the spectacle together. “I wasn’t sure how the fight would go, I was nervous for Mike Tyson to fight Jake Paul because of how big their age gap is and because of his recent health problems,” expressed Tiras.
When the fight began, it was “almost immediately over for Mike Tyson,” remarked Tiras. Tyson appeared to lack the same intensity and effort as Paul; his energy was noticeably diminished. Throughout the fight, Tyson was repeatedly seen biting on his glove, leading people to speculate that he was experiencing issues with either his mouthguard or his boxing glove.
By the end of the match, the judges unanimously declared Paul the champion. “I’m not sure if Mike was in it for the money, for the publicity, or a genuine desire to get back in the ring,” Tiras speculated, the internet in agreement. He added, “Jake Paul has a track record of securing victories against boxers who are older than him, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him targeting older opponents in the future as well.”
While Tyson had confirmed that this would be his last time stepping into the ring, the same cannot be said for Paul’s tendency to face off against older opponents. But based on his track record, history suggests that we may see more of the same behavior.
