ARLINGTON, Texas — Jake Paul on Friday night respected the older “elf” he belittled and vowed to kill just 24 hours earlier.
Paul, 27, clearly wary of even the might of a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, approached the former heavyweight champion mostly with caution during their anticlimactic eight-round fight in a packed AT&T Stadium. Worse, an elderly, inactive Tyson, infamous for biting Evander Holyfield in the rematch 27 years ago, spent more time nibbling on his gloves than throwing punches and barely let go of his hands after the second round.
The scorecards reflected Tyson’s inability to generate much offense. Judge David Iacobucci (80-72) scored a shutout for Paul, who won seven rounds apiece on the cards of judges Laurence Cole (79-73) and Jesse Reyes (79-73).
This unanimous decision loss counts against Tyson’s record (50-7, 44 KOs, 2 NC) because it was an official fight. They fought just eight two-minute rounds and wore 14-ounce gloves to account for Tyson’s age and inactivity.
Tyson also admitted to Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani during his post-fight interview that he entered the ring with some sort of injury to the lower part of his right leg. During the fight he wore a protective cover.
Tyson also stated that he will be cleared to fight again despite Friday’s performance.
Paul, who admitted he was “scared” of his opponent’s power, applauded Tyson for helping him draw a huge crowd to the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium and reach a live audience on Netflix that Paul claimed was 120 million people reached.
“First and foremost, Mike Tyson, it’s such an honor,” Paul said. “Let’s give it up for Mike, buddy. He’s a legend. He’s the best to ever do it. He is the GOAT. He’s the best to ever do it. I am inspired by him and without him we would not be here today. This man is an icon and it’s just an honor to fight him. And he’s obviously the toughest and baddest guy in the world, so it was really tough, as I expected.”
Paul – 31 years younger than Tyson, but a true cruiserweight and relatively inexperienced – was consistently listed as a 2-to-1 favorite over Tyson.
An exhausted Tyson said he wasn’t surprised Paul went all the way with him.
“I knew he was a good fighter,” Tyson said. “I knew he was prepared. I came to fight. … I haven’t proven anything to anyone but myself. I’m not one of these guys who wants to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.”
Tyson jokingly added that he has “a biting fixation” as an explanation for why he often put his mouth on his gloves during his fight with Paul.
His boxing timing was unfortunately not as good as his comedic timing, leading to the kind of poor performances his age suggested.
Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) wasn’t particularly entertaining or effective either, although he undoubtedly won a fifth straight fight since his split-decision defeat to British rival Tommy Fury.
“Man, I tried to hurt him a little bit, you know,” Paul said. “But I was afraid he would hurt me. I’m trying to hurt him, but I did my best. I did my best.”
Tyson came out aggressive early, landing a right hand about 30 seconds into the opening round, a shot that prompted Paul to retreat. It was clear then that Paul was wary of Tyson’s vaunted power. But Tyson was warned for a low blow with about 15 seconds left in the first round, and perhaps a more important warning was given to the fans in the stadium and those watching on Netflix worldwide, as Tyson looked tired after all that play for two minutes. action.
The crowd booed as Paul held Tyson tight midway through the second round, which lacked action.
Paul released his hands more in the third round, while Tyson hardly threw any punches in those two minutes. Paul hit Tyson with his left hook as Tysom came up 15 seconds into the third round.
Tyson and Paul largely let each other down in a futile fourth round for both boxers. Paul’s right to Tyson’s body was the most important shot landed in the fourth round.
Paul caught Tyson with a left and a sweeping right as he pressed the action in the opening minute of the fifth round. A reluctant Tyson covered most of it and was unwilling or unable to return fire.
Many in the huge crowd expressed their displeasure at the lack of entertainment as the bell rang to end the sixth round. Neither fighter even tried to land much offense in those two minutes.
There wasn’t much action during the eighth round, although a right-left combination from Paul supported Tyson late in the seventh round. It seemed a foregone conclusion then that they would go to extremes.
Tyson had not competed in an official fight since giant Irish underdog Kevin McBride dropped him after the sixth round in June 2005. The youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history had been brutally defeated by British underdog Danny Williams and WBC champion Lennox Lewis. in two knockout defeats during the three years prior to his career-ending loss to McBride.
An apologetic Tyson admitted after asking out of the McBride fight that he no longer had a passion for boxing and should not fight again.
Nineteen years later, he agreed to take on a 27-year-old opponent who, despite being a cruiserweight during his brief boxing career, is in his physical prime. Paul also produced brutal knockouts of former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, retired NBA point guard Nate Robinson, and similarly accomplished cruiserweights Andre August and Ryan Bourland before facing Tyson.