Jake Paul won against boxing legend Mike Tyson in a highly talked-about match Friday night in Arlington, Texas. The fight, streamed on Netflix, ended with Paul taking the win by unanimous decision. But after the fight, Paul shared that he held back during the match out of respect for the 58-year-old Tyson.
“Yeah, I did go easy on him,” Paul said during the press conference. “I wanted to entertain the fans, but I didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt.”
Tyson, who hadn’t fought professionally in 19 years, came into the ring wearing a knee brace. While he started strong with a few good punches, his energy faded as the eight-round fight went on.
“I tried my best to make it exciting,” Paul said. “But it’s tough when someone’s just trying to survive in the ring. I couldn’t really get him to engage or pull off some cool moves.”
Tyson Grateful for His Final Fight
After the fight, Tyson shared his thoughts on social media, saying he was thankful for the experience, even though he lost.
“This is one of those moments where you lose but still win,” Tyson wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “No regrets about stepping into the ring one last time.”
He added, “Having my kids watch me go eight rounds with a skilled fighter half my age, in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium, is something I’ll never forget.”
The match marked Tyson’s seventh official loss in a career that saw him win 59 fights and hold the heavyweight title from 1987 to 1990.
Drama, Celebrities, and Big Earnings
The fight wasn’t without controversy. Some fans speculated the outcome was pre-planned, but it was officially sanctioned by Texas regulators. Despite being the favorite, Paul brushed off the critics.
“People will always have something to say,” Paul said. “It doesn’t bother me.”
The event drew big names like Charlize Theron, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jerry Jones. However, some fans in the crowd began booing in the later rounds, likely due to Tyson’s struggle to keep up.
For Paul, the victory improved his boxing record to 11-1. Financially, it was a huge success for both fighters. Paul reportedly earned $40 million, while Tyson made around $20 million.
Reflecting on the night, Paul said, “I wanted to put on a great show, and I think we did that.”
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