Boxing-Paul defeats Tyson as former heavyweight champion can’t turn back the clock By Reuters
ARLINGTON, Texas (Reuters) – Jake Paul defeated boxing legend Mike Tyson by unanimous decision to win an intergenerational heavyweight fight in Texas on Friday that failed to reach its conclusion.
The fight between 27-year-old social media mogul-turned-promoter Paul and 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Tyson was broadcast live on Netflix (NASDAQ: ) and played in front of a sold-out crowd at AT&T. (NYSE:) Stadium in Arlington.
Those fans were left very disappointed as Tyson showed his age and was unable to mount an offense against his younger opponent, landing only 18 punches to Paul’s 78.
“First, Mike Tyson – it’s an honor to be able to fight him,” Paul said.
“It was tough and tough like I thought it would be.”
Tyson, who was wearing a knee brace, didn’t have much of a challenge after a flurry of left hands in the third round but did enough defense to avoid doing too much damage.
He admitted after the competition that he fought because of a leg injury.
“Yeah, but I can’t use that as an excuse. If I did, I wouldn’t be here,” Tyson said.
“I knew he was a good player. He was prepared, I was coming to fight. I didn’t prove anything to anyone, only to myself. I’m not one of those people who live to please the world. I’m happy with what I can do.”
Tyson, one of the most feared heavyweight champions during his prime in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was in his first professional fight in nearly 20 years. He did not give up when asked if he would ever return to the ring.
“I don’t know. It depends on the situation,” he said.
Paul (11-1) said he can now fight anyone he wants, maybe even Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez, after being the main attraction in the main event that drew a star-studded crowd and 72,300 fight fans at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. .
“This is the biggest event, over 120 million people on Netflix. We crashed the site, the biggest gateway to US boxing, $20 million, in US history, and everyone is next on the list.”
TAYLOR HITS SERRANO
In the main event earlier in the evening, Ireland’s Katie Taylor retained her super lightweight title by beating Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano in a controversial unanimous decision after a violent affair.
Serrano came out on top throughout the fight but their heads collided hard in the early stages, resulting in a deep cut over Serrano’s right eye. The referee later awarded a point to Taylor for headbutting.
In the end all three judges scored 95-94 for Taylor, who denied allegations from Serrano’s corner that he was fighting dirty.
Taylor won the previous meeting between the two at Madison Square Garden in New York in April 2022 and said there would be a third meeting.
