Mike Tyson’s comeback fight against the YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, which drew 120 million virtual viewers, turned out to be scripted and was widely condemned by the public. Even the crowd of more than 72,000 spectators at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, about 20 miles west of Dallas, struggled to process what had happened to their legendary hero, Mike Tyson. Many of his fans were disappointed and expressed their pain at seeing Tyson lose to a much younger YouTuber-turned-boxer.
While the fight attracted immense attention, it highlighted a growing divide in the boxing world between those who embrace the blending of entertainment and sport and those who yearn for a return to pure, this is one of those situations where public imagination, making it a cultural moment regardless of its athletic merit.
Mike Tyson: The Charisma
Several Memes and Humor on Social media exploded with memes, jokes, and debates about the fight, further amplifying its visibility and polarizing opinions. Also, some complained about the hefty price tag for watching the bout, questioning whether it delivered on the hype or was just a cash grab.
Legendary boxer Mike Tyson took to X after his fight against Jake Paul to discuss a health scare he faced before the bout. Tyson revealed that he almost died in June and had to start his training from scratch to prepare for the fight on November 15. He also hinted at the possibility of retirement.
He said” This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you”.
This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.
I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
To…
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) November 16, 2024
- Legend vs. Entertainer: Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight champion and boxing icon, faces Jake Paul, a social media influencer turned professional boxer, in a highly anticipated bout blending old-school boxing with modern-day showmanship. Many viewers appreciated the fight as a spectacle. The idea of a legendary boxer like Tyson going head-to-head with a modern-day internet celebrity generated massive buzz and curiosity.
- Age and Experience Gap: Mike Tyson, 58, is decades older than Paul, 27, bringing unmatched experience with 50 professional wins, 44 by knockout, compared to Paul’s 7-1 record against less seasoned opponents.
- Jake Paul’s Rising Popularity: Despite criticisms about his boxing credentials, Paul has garnered a massive fan base, particularly among younger audiences, and demonstrated growing skills in his fights. Some recognized Jake Paul’s effort to be taken seriously as a professional boxer, applauding his willingness to step into the ring with someone as iconic as Tyson.
- Tyson’s Return to the Ring: This bout marks another comeback for Tyson, who returned to boxing in a 2020 exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr., reigniting fans’ interest in the sport’s legends. Mike Tyson’s return to the ring was seen as a testament to his enduring charisma and physical capability, even at his age.
- Entertainment Factor: The event is as much about spectacle as sport, drawing attention for its novelty appeal and pitting two vastly different personalities against each other.
- Big Business: The fight is expected to be a financial blockbuster, with projections of record-breaking pay-per-view sales thanks to Tyson’s legendary status and Paul’s massive online following.
- Weight Class Challenge: The bout features unique physical dynamics, with Tyson’s heavyweight stature clashing against Paul’s cruiserweight range, raising questions about their performance in the ring.
Criticism from Boxing Purists:
Hardcore boxing fans and analysts were skeptical, viewing the fight as a publicity stunt that undermined the sport’s integrity. They argued that such bouts focus more on entertainment than genuine athletic competition. Many worried about the safety of a 58-year-old Tyson stepping back into the ring against a younger, more physically active opponent.
Critics argued that high-profile celebrity fights like this divert attention and resources away from up-and-coming boxers trying to establish legitimate careers. Despite his popularity, Paul’s critics dismissed him as a “YouTuber” rather than a serious boxer, questioning whether he deserved to face a legend like Tyson.
Evander Holyfield, Tyson’s former rival expressed disappointment, saying, “Mike shouldn’t have been in this situation. A fighter of his caliber deserves better.”
The commercial aspect of this fight was at the next level and the viewership reached nearly 60 million households around the world tuned in live to watch Paul vs. Tyson! The boxing mega-event dominated social media, shattered records, and even had our buffering systems on the ropes. The OTT telecaster platform, Netflix posted the on X,
60 million households around the world tuned in live to watch Paul vs. Tyson!
The boxing mega-event dominated social media, shattered records, and even had our buffering systems on the ropes. pic.twitter.com/kA8LjfAJSk
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
The match sparked widespread debate among celebrities, with some praising its entertainment value and others criticizing its impact on the sport of boxing. While some admired Jake Paul’s efforts to challenge a legend like Tyson, others lamented that the bout leaned more toward spectacle than serious competition. As always, the fight served as a cultural flashpoint, uniting and dividing fans and stars alike.
The famous podcaster Joe Rogan described the fight in a sarcastic manner on his social media account X ( formerly Twitter) and said,” I’m getting ready to watch this Tyson vs Jake Paul fight like I’m watching someone cast a spell that I hope actually works. And I don’t really believe in magic. But I want to believe.”
Dual-weight UFC champion, McGregor, was among the millions of people who stayed up until the early hours of Saturday morning to watch the fight on Netflix. “They are eyeing Prichard Colon for next opponent,” wrote McGregor before quickly deleting his post.
Many Netizens took this offensively and said that it was the tweet was completely uncalled for and received significant backlash on social media.
One fan wrote: “What a scumbag.”
Another added: “This is crazy, this guy needs to be disciplined.”
A third tweeted: “You don’t joke with that Conor.”
