Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson In Texas Fight
In what many described as a clash of eras, 27-year-old Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-prizefighter, defeated boxing legend Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated eight-round exhibition bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night.
The unanimous decision victory saw Paul dominate the 58-year-old Tyson, who appeared a shadow of his former self throughout the fight.
Judges scored the fight 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 in Paul’s favor, reflecting his superior speed and precision against the ageing Tyson.
While fans hoped for a thrilling showdown, it became evident from the opening bell that Tyson struggled to match Paul’s energy and agility. Paul capitalized on his advantages, landing flurries of punches that left Tyson unsteady, particularly in the third round.
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Despite his dominance, Paul was unable to deliver the knockout he had promised during Thursday’s heated weigh-in, where Tyson had slapped him in a brief scuffle. Instead, Paul closed the fight by bowing in respect to the former undisputed heavyweight champion as the final bell rang. This gesture, however, did little to soften the sting of Tyson’s lackluster performance, with the legend landing only 18 of his 97 punches compared to Paul’s 78 of 278.
“I’m really happy. He was a good fighter and well prepared,” Mike Tyson said. “I didn’t prove anything to anyone. Just to myself.”
Asked on a knee brace that he wore for the fight, Tyson said: “I can’t use that as an excuse or wouldn’t have been in there.”
Asked if this was the end for Tyson in the ring, he concluded: “I don’t think so.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
