Mike Tyson and Jake Paul were met with a chorus of boos during their highly-anticipated bout as fans dashed towards the exits before the result was even declared.
The clash between the YouTube star and the 58 year old ex-heavyweight champ was buzzed about all over Texas, and the match was streamed globally on Netflix, but kept crashing for many viewers.
But the event didn’t live up to its fanfare, prompting an early exit from many attendees by the midpoint of the fight. And it was branded “just sad” by many fans and observers, including former world champion boxer Tony Bellew.
The thinning crowd was evident by the end, with only a tepid response when Paul was declared the winner by Unanimous Decision against ‘Iron Mike’. Paul tallied another victory scoring 80-72 on two judges’ cards and 79-73 on the third marking his 11th win in 12 bouts. His single loss was at the fists of boxer and reality TV personality Tommy Fury.
Yet, fight fans were left disappointed by the tame nature of the contest, with Tyson visibly in pain hampered by a knee issue and Paul heeding the caution of not knocking out the aged icon, despite encouragement from his corner to “You can stop Mike now” ahead of round seven, reports the Mirror.
(Image: Netflix)
“Mike doesn’t have it anymore,” noted Roy Jones Jr while commentating for Netflix. “Legs are gone.” Amidst the dwindling audience after the fight, Paul took a moment in the ring to express his admiration: “Mike Tyson, it’s such an honour. Let’s give it up for Mike, the greatest to ever do it. We wouldn’t be here without him today – this man is an icon.”
“It’s just an honour to be able to fight him. It was really tough fight. I expected it to be.” “He was exactly what I thought. One of the greatest to ever do it. An icon. I was trying to hurt him a little bit. I was scared he was going to hurt me. I did my best.”