The internet buzzed as news of the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight broke out on Twitter on Nov. 14. At the center of Arlington, Texas, former champion boxing legend Mike Tyson would step into the ring for the first time since his retirement, going against popular internet star and professional wrestler Jake Paul.
From the get-go, many hardcore Tyson fans proclaimed that the former boxing legend could never lose to Paul as the “underdog” Tyson fans believed that the former champion would maintain his reputation, no matter the results of the Tyson vs. Jake match. However, many fans also admitted that the 58-year-old champion would find his 27-year-old opponent formidable—since 2018, Jake Paul had carried out an impressive 11-1 record, only losing to 25-year-old Tommy Fury. Not only that, but the obvious 30-year age gap only made the match more favorable towards the younger boxer.
The fight was originally planned to happen in July, but an onset of ulcer surgeries due to Tyson’s decaying health prolonged the initial match date. However, after a few more provocative Tweets exchanged between the two boxers, and with $40 million on the line, the fight officially became set in November.
“The fight was honestly unfair to begin with,” Adam Yanakakis, MMA fan, said. “Even if Tyson is known as an all-time boxing champion—that was all in the past. It’s been 20 years, and now, he’s at the age where he should be with his family instead of fighting guys half his age in a boxing ring.”
Many fans admit that Tyson may have only brought this dilemma upon himself, while others still argue that Jake Paul should not have instigated a fight in the first place. However, the results remain unchanged and after eight lengthy rounds, the scores were in favor of boxer Jake Paul: 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
In the end, the conclusion of the match never lived up to the fans’ expectations who anticipated the victory and the return of Tyson’s former boxing era. However, the match finally and officially ended Tyson’s long-lasting and impactful boxing career, with hopes for a different life in his 50s.
