Jake Paul beats Mike Tyson on points in the match of the year. The 27-year-old YouTuber, winner by unanimous decision of the judges (80-72, 79-73 and 79-73), surpasses the 58-year-old former heavyweight world champion today at the end of a disappointing match to say the least in front of the AT&T audience Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tyson lasts all eight 2-minute rounds to earn the $20 million purse but lands just 18 punches in a performance that tarnishes the image of one of the greatest athletes to ever enter the ring. Paul, 31 years younger than his opponent, does what he wants in the ring: he lands 78 shots as and when he wants, he could knock out the legend but he prefers to spread the ball for the audience. In the end, much ado about nothing: Paul wins in a match that offers no emotions.
The meeting
Tyson starts the match with an aggressive attitude and goes after his opponent. Paul takes advantage of his greater mobility to stay out of Iron Mike’s range of action, takes his measurements and lands the only notable shot of the first round with a precise right to the face.
The script doesn’t change in the second round. Tyson places himself in the center of the ring, Paul circles him in a ballet without real jolts. The former heavyweight champion also seems to have some problems managing his mouthguard.
At the beginning of the third round, Tyson tries to break the deadlock and attacks with greater conviction. However, his energy is not in abundance and the 58-year-old quickly ends up in the reserves. Paul takes the initiative, controls the match with the jab and closes the round without risking anything.
The difference in athletic condition appears evident in the fourth round, Paul hits repeatedly: it doesn’t ‘sting’ much, but he often gets to the target against an opponent who, in fact, no longer moves on his legs.
Tyson reignites in the fifth round, landing a left hook that Paul takes without wavering. The younger of the two boxers continues to control the script, even lands a couple of combinations but nothing that ignites the crowd at AT&T Stadium.
The spectators – like the lucky users not betrayed by Netflix streaming – witness the ballet that opens the sixth shot. Tyson has to recover his energy, Paul is content to maintain the advantage gained on points: he clocks in with the jab, but doesn’t give anything else to those who spent thousands of dollars for a place.
The gap widens in the seventh round, which Tyson opens with one of the rare assaults. It doesn’t take much to inflame the crowd, but as soon as the match seems to become ‘real’, Paul takes center stage: he lands blows at will and with a left to the figure takes the breath away from Iron Mike, who struggles to defend himself and stem the attack. opponent.
Same script in the eighth and final round. Paul doesn’t press on the accelerator, he simply reiterates a clear superiority dictated by age. Tyson ends up on the ropes, gets to his feet at the last bell and deserves the homage of his opponent, who kneels. ‘Boo’s’ of disapproval rained from the stands for a show that offered very little emotion, many preferring to leave before the verdict of a disappointing match is announced, to say the least.