Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
It is done and dusted. Mike Tyson has made his comeback to professional boxing at age 58 against Jake Paul, 27. While it was another loss for Tyson, the former heavyweight champion of the world, boxing fans knew exactly what they could expect from the fight.
From Tyson slapping Paul at the weigh-in to going the distance of 8 two-minute rounds with a 31-year younger opponent at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the duo tried their best to deliver a show for the fans.
Tyson started the contest aggressively, which reminded of the ferocity he would display in his prime. He occupied the centre of the ring and offered a little glimpse of the peekaboo style that legendary coach Cus D’Amato had taught him to overcome taller fighters in the ring.
Throughout the match, Jake remained respectful to the 58-year-old as he carefully selected and threw his punches to not seriously injure the man of the hour, Mike. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn't want to hurt someone that didn't need to be hurt,” Paul said at the post fight press conference.
By round six, as Mike Tyson was visibly tired, Jake Paul slowed down too. By the final and eighth round, ‘Iron’ Mike had difficulty breathing and was reluctant to attack Paul. In his response, with less than 10 seconds left of the match, Jake Paul lowered his arms and bowed to Mike
“I tried to give the best fight I possibly could. But when someone's just surviving in the ring basically, it's hard to make it exciting,” Paul later said.
It was in 2022 that Jake Paul first joked about fighting Mike Tyson in future. “I joke with my friends about it. I’m like, I’ll start eating crispy cream doughnuts and move up to heavyweight, and take on Mike Tyson. That would actually excite me,” He had said on The Journey Podcast.
“Mike bro, if you’re watching this, let’s have some fun - new school vs old school,” he had added.
More than 70,000 fans were in attendance for the fight at the AT&T Stadium. Additionally, per Paul, over 120 million Netflix subscribers streamed the event online. The match generated over $18 million through ticket sales in Texas.
After the match was over, popular combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani asked Mike if he dealt with an injury going into the fight. “Yeah, but I can’t use that for excuse. If I did, I wouldn’t be in here,” answered Mike.
On being asked if the fight against Paul was his last in the ring, Tyson answered in the negative. “I don’t think so,” said Tyson.
