For the first time since 2005, former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson made the walk to the ring for a sanctioned boxing match. “Iron Mike” faced YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul on Friday in the featured fight of the Most Valuable Promotion’s boxing event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Originally, the bout was scheduled to take place on July 20, but was postponed due to Tyson suffering an ulcer flare up. The match was rescheduled for Nov. 15. Tyson last fought in November 2020, facing Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout. The fight went the distance and was ruled a draw.
The match drew criticism for the age disparity between Tyson and Paul. The 58-year old Tyson was 31 years older than his 27-year old opponent.
Tyson pressed forward at the start of the fight. Paul moved on the outside using his jab to keep Tyson on the outside. Tyson connected with a left hand. Paul opted to clinch. They separated and Paul barely missed with a bug right hand. Tyson continued to press forward and Paul connected with a clean right hand. Tyson landed to the body with a right hand. The referee warmed him to keep the punches up. MMAWeekly.com scored the round for Tyson 10-9.
Tyson inched forward to start the second. He rushed in with a left but Paul moved out of the way. Paul barely missed with an uppercut. They exchanged jabs. Tyson kept biting his glove throughout the round. As the round neared its end, Tyson began to slow. Paul took the second frame.
Tyson came out aggressive in the third launching heavy punches. Paul circled away from any danger. Paul strung together a series of left hands that landed. As the round came to a close, Tyson appeared fatigued.
Paul pawed with his jab before landing it in the fourth. He connected to the body with a right. Paul’s output was much higher than Tyson. Tyson didn’t look very mobile. Paul began targeting Tyson’s body. Tyson’s hardly threw any punches in the fourth. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul.
Tyson stood in the center of the ring to start the fifth. Paul connected with a combination. Tyson continued to bite his glove. He landed a left hook that got a reaction out of the crowd. Paul delivered a hard right hand near the end. Tyson responded with a left. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul.
Paul continue to target the body of Tyson. Paul went to the body and head. Tyson missed with a left hook counter. Paul doubled up on his jab. Paul outworked Tyson by a wide margin. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul.
The pace picked up at the start of the seventh. Paul’s jab continued to be his most effective weapon. Tyson didn’t offer up much offense. Paul connected with a left to the body. Paul landed a combination. Tyson responded by moving forward but came up short on a right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Tyson.
Tyson was slow getting off the stool for the final round. Paul landed a right hand. Paul pressured Tyson. Tyson reacted with a left hand. Paul continued to connect with his jab. Paul stepped forward with a combination. In the last 10 seconds, Paul bowed to Tyson and the two embraced after the bell.
The judges scored the fight for Paul via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 80-72, 79-73, 79-73.
