Mike Tyson and Jake Paul have both been suspended from boxing following last night's historic fight... but it's nothing to do with any rule breaks.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in their highly-anticipated bout. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
On Friday night, 58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul went head-to-head in the biggest American boxing match to take place outside of Las Vegas.
With approximately 72,000 piling into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and an estimated 120 million streaming live on Netflix, it cannot be denied that people were eager to see the legendary "Iron" Mike Tyson back in a ring for his first professional bout in 19 years.
Sadly, however, it's safe to say that the fight failed to live up to the hype.
Tyson and Paul failed to live up to the hype. Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty
After eight two-minute rounds, Paul was declared the winner by unanimous decision - following a fight that was slow and - let's face it - rather boring.
Nevertheless, much like the preamble, the fight remains a huge talking point on social media, and one small detail has emerged following the final bell: both men are now suspended from boxing.
No, no - there were no rules broken or anything like that, it's actually a sanction for both competitors' safety.
Both Paul and Tyson are now mandated to take a breather from boxing activities, courtesy of a ruling from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the body overseeing the fight.
Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Per The Mirror, a minimum seven-day suspension was slapped on them both to ensure adequate recovery time — a standard precaution. But there's more. The board stipulates a three-day rest for each round fought, stretching their time out of the ring to a total of 24 days due to the eight rounds they battled through.
Medical disqualifications or suspensions are par for the course in boxing, safeguarding the athletes' well-being, which can always be contested through a hearing if the fighters feel fit enough to return sooner.
However, after last night's performance, let's hope it'll be a while before we see Paul back in the ring... and maybe it's best if Tyson just bows out for good.
In fact, in the post-fight interview in the ring, Tyson gave a candid answer when asked if he'd return to the ring for another fight, saying: "I don’t know. It depends on the situation. I don’t think so."
Jake Paul can say he beat Mike Tyson. Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Elsewhere, many viewers have taken to social media platforms like X to slam Netflix - with many vowing to cancel their subscriptions.
With the fight streaming live on the platform at no extra charge, it was also bound to bring in a lot of viewers. However, this ultimately resulted in many people watching a rotating red circle as they battled buffering issues.
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How the Mike Tyson v. Jake Paul fight played out compared to the viral 'leaked script'
By stefan armitage
Last night, the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, played host to one of the most highly-anticipated fights in the history of boxing.
With 72,000 fans piling into the stadium and an estimated 120 million watching on Netflix (or, at least, trying to), it was certainly a successful night in the world of boxing -- despite the main event failing to live up to the hype.
Paul took Tyson - and viewers - by surprise. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
Yes, at 58 years old, although we can and should all respect Tyson for returning to the ring for his first professional fight in 19 years, the bout was slow, predictable, sluggish, and downright boring at moments.
Paul was declared the winner by a unanimous judge's decision.
And it's safe to say that the fight played out as many of us expected. Despite us wanting to see Tyson fight with the ferocity he displayed in the 90s and the speed and power that made him the youngest world champ in history, it looked like Father Time got to him before Paul did.
Jake Paul finally can say he beat Mike Tyson. Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Yes, it was sadly a predictable bout. However, some may have expected a "predictable" fight for a different reason, after a so-called "leaked script" of the fight emerged on social media prior to the bell ringing.
The bizarre one-page "script" was uploaded to X along with the caption: "Ain't no way bro. The script got leaked! #PaulVsTyson Jake Paul gonna knock out Mike Tyson!"
Of course, with many people believing that more and more professional boxing bouts are being staged due to the rise of YouTubers and influencers in the sport, it wasn't long before the round-by-round "script" went viral and was shared by news outlets.
Credit: Al Bello / Getty
But how did the viral "script" compare to what actually went down on the night? Well, like this...
Round 1Script: "The opening bell rings and Tyson, showing flashes of his old form, immediately stalks forward with his signature bob-and-weave style. Paul maintains distance, circling the ring cautiously. Tyson lands a few jabs but Paul's youth shows in his superior mobility. Paul connects with a quick one-two combination before retreating. Tyson's timing appears slightly off, his punches a fraction slower than in his prime."
What really happened: Mike Tyson came out aggressively, pushing Jake Paul towards the ropes early in the round. Despite Tyson's pressure, Paul managed to slip away and land a significant overhand right, knocking Tyson back. Paul utilized his jab effectively and controlled the pace, appearing more comfortable of the two due to his youth. Verdict: Paul 10-9 Tyson
Round 2Script: "Tyson comes alive, cutting off the ring more effectively. He lands a thunderous left hook to Paul's body that draws a collective gasp from the crowd. Paul weathers the storm, using his reach advantage to pepper Tyson with long jabs. The younger fighter's stamina becomes evident as he bounces on his toes, while Tyson's breathing grows heavier."
What really happened: Tyson attempted a quick combination and landed a solid right hook to the body midway through the round. However, Paul's speed was evident as he managed to evade Tyson's smothering attempts and control the engagement. The crowd cheered for Tyson, but Paul's agility kept him out of reach. Verdict: Paul 10-9 Tyson (Overall: 20-18 Paul)
Round 3Script: "Paul gains confidence, starting to plant his feet more. He lands a sharp right cross that momentarily stuns Tyson. The former champion responds with a vintage combination, but Paul slips most of it. The speed difference becomes more apparent as Paul begins finding his range with his jab. Tyson's legendary head movement starts to slow."
What really happened: Tyson charged aggressively at Paul right from the bell, but Paul deftly countered with a sharp left hook that seemed to shake Tyson. A subsequent one-two combination had Tyson unsteady again, showing Paul's dominance in the ring while he cautiously respected Tyson's knockout power. Verdict: Paul 10-9 Tyson (Overall: 30-27 Paul)
Round 4Script: "Fatigue sets in for Tyson, though his punches still carry devastating power. Paul establishes his rhythm, landing increasingly clean shots. A particularly sharp right hand opens a cut above Tyson's left eye. The old champion bulls forward, trying to close distance, but Paul's footwork keeps him just out of range. The tide is turning."
What really happened: Paul appeared to slow the fight's pace, possibly sizing up Tyson and opting to take the bout the distance. He controlled the center of the ring, dictating the fight's tempo and avoiding risks while maintaining a steady offensive output. Verdict: Paul 10-9 (Overall: 40-36 Paul)
Round 5Script: "The decisive round. Paul, sensing Tyson's fatigue, begins to press forward more aggressively. He lands a crisp three-punch combination that backs Tyson to the ropes. As Tyson tries to weave away, Paul times him perfectly with a devastating right hand that catches him flush on the chin. Tyson's legs buckle and he drops to the canvas. The referee begins the count, but Tyson, despite his warrior's heart, cannot beat the ten count.
"Winner: Jake Paul by KO, Round 5"
What really happened: By now, Paul increasingly relied on his jab, with Tyson seemingly on the defensive and struggling to mount significant offense. Paul continued to dictate the fight's pace, landing clean shots without taking significant risks. Verdict: Paul 10-9 (Overall: 50-45 Paul)
Round 6Of course, the so-called "script" declared that Paul would have won the bout by this point, but that wasn't the case.
What really happened: This round highlighted Tyson's diminishing offensive output, landing only a few punches. Paul, showing perhaps a touch of mercy, maintained enough activity to keep the bout competitive without overly exerting himself or endangering Tyson. Verdict: Paul 10-9 (Overall: 60-54 Paul)
Round 7What really happened: Tyson showed a brief resurgence at the round's start, throwing a powerful left hand. However, that was the extent of his offensive effort. Paul responded with a flurry in the last 20 seconds, connecting a series of punches to both head and body, clearly sealing another round in his favor. Verdict: Paul 10-9 (Overall: 70-63 Paul)
Round 8What really happened: In the final round, Tyson attempted a last effort, throwing more punches than in previous rounds but lacking the power to trouble Paul. As the round and fight drew to a close, both fighters slowed, with Paul bowing in respect to Tyson, acknowledging the fight's foregone conclusion. Tyson reciprocated by offering his glove. Verdict: Paul 10-9 (Overall: 80-72 Paul).
Following the announcement of Paul's win, both men hugged in the ring.
So, this just goes to show, you really cannot believe everything you see on social media.
Sadly, despite this script clearly being proven to be total BS, there are still many viewers who are adamant that last night's bout was staged from start to finish.
This really is a shame, given that Tyson deserves a lot of respect for even considering stepping back in the ring, especially against somebody 31 years his junior.
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Viewers point out the exact moment Mike Tyson 'missed the greatest opportunity of all time'
By stefan armitage
Perhaps the biggest night of boxing this century took place last night, but it's safe to say the ending fell a little flat...
Mike Tyson returning to the ring at 58 years old for his first professional fight in 19 years against an antagonistic opponent 31 years younger than him was certainly worthy of the hype.
Tyson and Paul failed to live up to the hype. Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty
With 72,000 people filling the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and an estimated 120 million watching around the world on Netflix, last night was the largest American boxing event to be held outside of Las Vegas in history.
However, by the end of the eight two-minute rounds, it was clear that Tyson just isn't the ferocious fighter he once was, and Paul won by unanimous decision.
In fact, the conclusion of the night fell so flat that boos were ringing out for both fighters by the final bell and there were reports of people leaving the stadium early before the result in order to beat traffic.
Nevertheless, let's not diminish the fact that Tyson just fought his first televised boxing match in four years. His first professional bout in 19 years. At 58 years old! There's a lot of respect to be had just for that.
But it's no secret that fans were disappointed they didn't see the Mike Tyson of the past. The man who would become the youngest world champion in history due to his explosive speed, unyielding power, and unrelenting brutality.
Mike Tyson deserved all the respect in the world. Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Who could forget Tyson taking a bite of Evander Holyfield's ear during the "The Sound and the Fury" rematch from June 28, 1997?
Taking place in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, a frustrated Tyson bit a significant portion of Holyfield's right ear, causing severe injury. Referee Mills Lane initially deducted two points from Tyson but allowed the fight to continue.
However, Tyson would go on to bite Holyfield's ear again later in the round, leading to his immediate disqualification and a moment that has stood the test of time.
In fact, it was clearly on the minds of viewers during last night's fight, as fans were sharing the exact moment Tyson had the opportunity to make history once again. Sharing a screenshot from the third round - as Paul collapsed close to Tyson against the ropes - the "Baddest Man On The Planet's" mouth was positioned right next to the YouTuber's ear.
...It was RIGHT THERE, Mike!
Of course, there was no bite this time around, much to the disappointment of viewers.
"He wasted the opportunity," one X user wrote, with a second adding: "You can tell he’s fighting his demons in that moment tho. He wants a little nibble."
Over on Instagram, another social media user wrote: "Bro had his opportunity and blew it", with a fourth writing: "Jake gotta avoid being in that position or else history repeats itself."
Tyson's infamous bite led to a $3 million find and he was hit with a one-year ban from boxing.
...so maybe it's a good idea he didn't take a nibble of Paul's ear.
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Mike Tyson's butt becomes unexpected star of the night
By stefan armitage
Following the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight, there are a lot of things being said on social media about the "Baddest Man on the Planet".
At 58 years old, Tyson once again stepped into a boxing ring for his first professional bout in 19 years.
Paul and Tyson failed to live up to the hype. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
Sadly, Father Time seems to have defeated Tyson before the night began, as he failed to defeat the 27-year-old Paul. In fact, both men failed to put on an exciting fight - with fans at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, booing both men by the final bell.
Nevertheless, with some people saying Mike Tyson needs to hang up his gloves for good and others praising him for being brave enough to compete at 58, there are others talking about "Iron Mike" for a different reason...
...his butt.
Yes, prior to the main event, Tyson was interviewed backstage by his son, Amir, as he prepared to step back in the ring.
It was certainly an emotional and weighted moment: The youngest world champion in history getting fired up and looking to prove to the entire world that an old lion can still roar, promising his son a "vicious win" over Paul before giving him a hug and kiss...
...then he turned around and showed millions of people his bare butt.
It was an unexpectedly humorous moment from an interview that should have been anything but (excuse the pun).
One person wrote: "Like this post if you just saw Mike Tyson’s ass on Netflix. Share if you want to curse others who may not have."
"The only time my Netflix has worked the entire night, and they show me Mike Tyson’s bare a**," another person tweeted.
Here are some more incredible reactions to the moment:
And, yes, we can only extend our deepest condolences for those viewers whose Netflix streams decided to buffer at this exact moment.
Speaking of buffering, the streaming (or lack thereof) throughout the night has led to many Netflix viewers vowing to cancel their subscriptions following the event.
Featured image credit: Al Bello / Getty
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Viewers are saying the same thing about Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano following Tyson/Paul result
By stefan armitage
Following Jake Paul's defeat over the legendary Mike Tyson, fans are all saying the same thing about another fight on the card.
Taking place in front of around 72,000 people at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas - as well as the millions watching around the world on Netflix - there is no doubt that this was a highly anticipated event.
Tyson and Paul failed to live up to the hype. Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty
Watching Mike Tyson step back into a boxing ring at the age of 58 against an opponent 31 years his junior was always going to bring eyes to the screen - even if it was out of morbid curiosity.
Sadly, Tyson was unable to rewind the clock and topple the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, and Paul was declared the winner by unanimous decision after eight two-minute rounds.
In fact, when all was said and done, the fight was nothing short of... underwhelming.
The action was slow and predictable, with some reports claiming that fans were leaving for the result was even announced.
But that certainly couldn't be said about the fight that preceded Tyson and Paul, as Katie Taylor toppled Amanda Serrano in a rematch for the ages.
Defending her undisputed light-welterweight title in a rematch from their MSG bout, all three judges narrowly awarded the win to Taylor at 95-94. The fight was action-packed, controversial, bloody... it was EXCITING.
Taylor emerged from the rematch victorious. Credit: Al Bello / Getty
As a result, viewers have taken to social media to declare that Taylor and Serrano should have main-evented the show (and that Serrano was "robbed").
"Let’s be real, that Taylor/Serrano fight was the real main event tonight," one X user wrote.
"Serrano vs Taylor should’ve been the main event," another added.
A third tweeted: "The main event should’ve been Katie Taylor and Serrano. Not Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson. I said what I said"
"Taylor vs Serrano should have been the actual main event. #PaulTyson," wrote another.
Yes, Netflix billed the night as having two "co-main events" - but we all know it is about who closes the show, and Taylor and Serrano should have closed if it was based on talent alone.
However, with the sheer star power in the Tyson/Paul fight, there was no question that the men were going to close the show... resulting in that empty feeling we're all experiencing right now.
Following their bout, Serrano said of her disappointing loss: "I knew when it went to the judges it was going to be a little shady. Listen, I chose to fight. I went up three divisions. I lost in two and I dared to be great tonight. I am the featherweight champion of the world. I want to be great. I only fight the best. It is what it is. I'm a featherweight."
Credit: Al Bello / Getty
Speaking about her nasty eye injury, she added: "Every time you get a cut it hurts. You get blood in your eye. She kept headbutting me, but we knew that from the very beginning, the first fight. It's not only my fight, she did it with Chantelle Cameron. Listen, I am Puerto Rican. No matter how many cuts, I will fight to the very end."
And speaking on her victory, Taylor said post-fight: "It's very hard to tell during the fight. I knew it was an absolute slug fest in there, an absolute war. Thank God I came out on the winning side.
"Thank you to Amanda, she's a fantastic champion. I think we agreed to 12, three-minute rounds in our next fight. The triple is on.
"That's what a boxer does. We train to be able to recover from those punches. She's a hard puncher. A very tough warrior. I was prepared for that. I don't care if the commentary team or the crowd disagree with the result. The only ones who matter are the judges around the ring. So thank God.
"I definitely didn't agree with the point deduction. I certainly wasn't fighting dirty. Sometimes it gets rough in there.
"This is an amazing moment for women's boxing. We put on another amazing show."
Let's hope we do see that third fight down the road.
Featured image credit: Al Bello / Getty
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Mike Tyson's last opponent shares chilling warning to Jake Paul ahead of tonight's fight
By stefan armitage
As we prepare to witness a 58-year-old Mike Tyson step into the ring once again with a 27-year-old Jake Paul, the boxing legend's last opponents have shared a chilling warning to the YouTuber.
With thousands pouring into AT&T Stadium and millions more watching around the world on Netflix, tonight's bout is already shaping up to be one of the most historic nights in the sport of boxing.
However, although many have questioned whether or not the fight should even be going ahead given the huge age gap between the competitors, we all have to remember one thing...
...this is "Iron" Mike Tyson.
And those who last stepped in the ring with Tyson have now spoken out and shared a chilling glimpse into what Paul has coming.
Back in June 2005, Tyson fought his last competitive fight against Kevin McBride.
Kevin McBride was Tyson's final competitive opponent. Credit: Focus On Sport / Getty
Despite walking away with the win, McBride admits that he still feels the effects of Tyson's incredible and ferocious power.
In an interview with BloodyElbow.com, McBride issues a warning to Paul.
"Jake Paul is a young kid," McBride highlighted - shining a spotlight on the 27-year-old’s inexperience when compared to 58-year-old Tyson. "He has youth with him but Mike Tyson’s power is unbelievable. I still feel it to this day, more than 19 years later.
"He hits so hard and power is the last thing to go. George Foreman proved that against Michael Moorer. Sure he was a bit younger than Mike is now but power-wise it is one of the biggest punches in history and he can probably knock Jake out."
Of course, Tyson would return to the ring four years ago - this time for an exhibition fight.
Roy Jones Jr went head-to-head in an exhibition clash with Tyson back in 2020 and was left re-thinking his choices after the veteran went all in, landing some clean face and body shots reflecting his prime days.
Roy Jones Jr. fought Tyson back in 2020. Credit: Gareth Copley/Getty
In an interview with Andre Ward, the American fighter alerted the social media star about Tyson's punching power, despite his age.
When asked by Ward how it felt being punched by the heavyweight legend, Jones Jr said: "First time he hit me in the chest, it felt like a mule had kicked me in the chest. At 57-years-old: I said 'Oh my goodness, ok! You won't hit me no more.'"
Tyson and Jones Jr. back in 2020. Credit: Joe Scarnici/Getty/Triller
In a separate interview, he doubled down on this stating that Tyson's skills will most likely end up winning him the upcoming battle.
Speaking to MMANytt.com, he said: “I believe in Mike, likely via decision. But if he wants to finish it, he can. Yet, if he’s just looking to enjoy the fight, he might take it slow and have some fun."
"I’m not worried about Mike and his age. Mike is still hard to hit, and he hits like a truck," Jones Jr added.
Paul has received some criticism for fighting someone in his late 50s, but to him, it's not about age and instead, it's about living out his dreams.
"A lot of people are wondering 'Jake, why are you doing this? Even if you beat him, they're going to say he's old,'" he told the outlet. "But to me, Mike Tyson wanted to fight me."
He continued: "That is an honor. He's one of the most famous boxers in the world to ever do it. To step in there with someone of his nature is an honor and a dream come true. It's going to be a spectacle on Netflix."
Tyson and Paul will fight on November 15. Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty
As Tyson and Paul prepare to step in front of approximately 80,000 fans at AT&T Stadium, the latter's health has also been a topic of conversation going into the fight.
The pair were due to fight earlier this year, but Tyson was forced to pull out of the contest after suffering an ulcer flare-up in May.
Is Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul a professional boxing match?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has officially sanctioned Friday night's fight as a professional heavyweight match -- however, it does come with several unique modifications compared to your standard fight.
Instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves, Paul and Tyson will wear 14-ounce gloves, minimizing the risk of a knockout. On top of this, each round will be shortened to two minutes, with a total of eight rounds planned - a call that will undoubtedly favor Tyson’s legendary explosiveness.
Commenting on Tyson's unyielding stamina, Jones Jr said: "When I boxed [Tyson] four years ago, we did two-minute rounds, and, surprisingly, he didn’t lose energy; he kept the same pace."