WHEN Mike Tyson bull-rushed Jake Paul as soon as the opening bell rang and landed the first punch of the night, the sold-out AT&T Stadium which was filled with the who’s who of the entertainment world erupted in jubilation.
That raucous reaction was expected because after all, nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
It took little time, however, for the inescapable truth to reveal itself, as no matter how the polarizing heavyweight great courageously fought and tried, the younger and fitter Paul was just too much in claiming an 80-72, 79-73, 79-73 unanimous decision in their eight-round heavyweight bout.
As expected, yes, but it's a result that he'll cherish nonetheless because not many Youtubers-turned-boxers can say they have a Tyson win on their resumes - regardless of the circumstances.
“First and foremost, it’s such an honor,” Paul said after the blockbuster fight which was broadcast live all over the world in one of the largest streaming services in the world, Netflix.
“He’s exactly who I thought, one of the greatest to ever do it. He’s an icon, he’s a legend.”
The 58-year-old, for a while, showed glimpses of his old self, as he took the center of the ring early on, bobbing and weaving and pressuring Paul before connecting with a snappy jab that had the 70,000 fans inside the stadium on the edge of their seats.
But soon, Paul – a guy 31 years younger than Tyson – would expectedly take control, particularly in the third where he visibly hurt “Iron Mike” with combinations as his length and speed would finally surface.
By the sixth round, and just when time had all but wore down the high of nostalgia, the erstwhile-hyped Texas venue was already being filled by boos and jeers from a bloodthirsty crowd that was just reminded that father time, even for the baddest man in the planet, remains undefeated.
Tyson, though, can be proud of himself with how he carried himself in a fight against a younger and fitter guy almost two decades since he last fought in an officially sanctioned match – as he took some clean shots, and while he didn’t return much, he still stood tall in the end.
“I’m absolutely happy,” Tyson responded when asked about how he felt after the fight.
“I know he’s a good fighter. I came to fight. I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I’m not one of those guys that look to please the world, I’m just happy with what I can do,” he said.
When asked if this would be the last fans would see of “Iron Mike,” Tyson was non-committal on retirement, before looking at Jake’s brother, WWE superstar Logan Paul, for a possible fight.
“I don’t know. It depends on the situation but I don’t think so,” he shared. “Maybe his brother.”
For his sake, and the fans’ sake, that fight better not take place - not because he can’t beat the Pauls, but there’s really no beating father time.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
