By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
On the 15th November 2024, the eyes of the world were firmly fixed on the AT &T Stadium in Arlington, Texas as the once-undisputed king of boxing, Mike Tyson faced Youtuber-turned-professional boxer, Jake Paul in a high-profile exhibition match. Despite the huge contrast in the profiles of both boxers, the fight generated a great deal of buzz and excitement on mainstream and social media, with the bout streamed live on Netflix and watched by a global audience of over 60 million viewers.
Even in the weeks leading up to it, the fight between a 58-year-old Tyson and a much younger Paul had sparked significant controversy due to the age and experience gap between Tyson and Paul, with many questioning its legitimacy. Critics including athletes and commentators openly expressed concerns about Tyson’s safety. Despite all this, the fight did go on after being delayed at least once.
On fight night, the atmosphere was electric as Tyson showcased flashes of his legendary power and agility. Though visibly older, his movements reminded fans of his prime. Jake Paul, over three decades younger, relied on his stamina and unorthodox style, setting up a generational clash. The fight was an eight-round professional bout, with each round lasting two minutes. The fighters used 14-ounce gloves without headgear. Paul dominated the latter rounds, throwing 200 punches to Tyson’s 87, reflecting a significant difference in activity. At the end, the fight itself ended in a unanimous decision victory for Paul, with the judges’ scores 80–72 and 79–73, twice in favour of Paul.
Despite the outcome, both fighters showed mutual respect after the bout. Paul acknowledged Tyson as a legend, while Tyson expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasising that he had nothing to prove. In purely economic terms, Jake Paul reportedly earned $40 million for the fight, while Mike Tyson received $20 million. These figures underline the commercial appeal of such exhibition matches, even when criticised for their sporting merit. The fight was heavily marketed, generating significant revenue from pay-per-view sales and ticket sales. Paul, a social media influencer, leveraged his platform to attract a younger audience.
CONTROVERSIES AND PUBLIC REACTIONS
The 31-year age difference between Tyson (58) and Paul (27) sparked criticism, with some calling it exploitative and likening it to “elderly abuse.” This is the largest age-gap in professional boxing history. The fight deviated from traditional boxing regulations, including the use of lighter gloves and the lack of headgear, which drew safety concerns. During the weigh-in, Paul stepped on Tyson’s toes, aggravating his existing foot problems. Tyson responded by slapping Paul, which escalated the pre-fight tension.
Many fans and commentators felt the fight was underwhelming, with Tyson appearing too slow and unfit compared to his prime. Critics, including Terrace Crawford, former UFC fighters and boxing commentators, argued that the match risked aggravating Tyson’s health and tarnished his legacy, while others praised his courage to compete at nearly 60 years old. Tyson hinted at continuing his boxing journey and even called out Jake Paul’s brother, Logan Paul, for a future match. The fight stirred debates about the ethics of pitting ageing legends against younger fighters for entertainment. The lack of adherence to standard Masters Boxing rules, such as age-matching opponents within a 10-year span, was seen as a violation of safety protocols.
TYSON BOXING LEGACY & INFLUENCE
Mike Tyson’s boxing legacy is one of the most remarkable in the sport’s history, marked by his dominance, controversies, and enduring cultural influence. Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 by defeating Trevor Berbick in 1986. His knockout victory solidified his reputation as a fearsome and explosive fighter. Known as “Iron Mike,” his blend of speed, power, and aggression revolutionised the heavyweight division.
Tyson unified the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, becoming the undisputed champion by 1987. His reign included iconic victories over opponents like Michael Spinks (a 91-second KO) and Larry Holmes, a former champion. Tyson’s style, rooted in the “peek-a-boo” technique taught by trainer Cus D’Amato, emphasised defensive head movement, explosive counterpunching, and body attacks. He used this to overwhelm opponents early, earning numerous first-round knockouts.
Tyson, however, suffered his first professional defeat in 1990 against underdog Buster Douglas. This shocking upset ended his aura of invincibility. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of rape and sentenced to six years in prison, derailing his career during its prime. He was released in 1995 after serving three years.
Tyson reclaimed the WBA and WBC titles after his release but lost key matches, including his 1996 defeat to Evander Holyfield, which led to their infamous 1997 rematch where Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear and was disqualified. His later career included losses to Lennox Lewis and other fighters, signalling a decline in his once-dominant abilities.
Beyond the ring, Tyson’s personality, public appearances, and controversies have made him a pop culture figure. He appeared in movies (The Hangover), hosted a podcast (Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson), and ventured into cannabis entrepreneurship.
Tyson’s return to the ring in exhibition matches, including his 2020 bout against Roy Jones Jr., has introduced him to new generations while showcasing his enduring love for the sport. His prime remains a benchmark for heavyweight greatness, inspiring countless fighters and solidifying his place as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Tyson has 50 wins (44 knockouts), 6 losses and 2 no-contests. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2011) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport.
CELEBRITY AND EXHIBITION BOXING TREND
The trend of celebrity and exhibition boxing matches has grown significantly in recent years, blending sports, entertainment, and social media influence. Here’s an In-depth look at the phenomenon: Exhibition fights have been around for decades, often featuring retired champions in matches designed to entertain rather than compete at a professional level. Examples include Muhammad Ali’s exhibition bouts in the 1970s.
Modern celebrity boxing became prominent with events like Battle of the Network Stars and novelty matches in the 1990s. The trend resurged in the late 2010s, driven by YouTubers and influencers like Logan and Jake Paul. Their bouts introduced a new, younger audience to boxing through platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
High-profile matches, such as Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul (2021), blurred the lines between sports and spectacle, proving these events to be massive financial successes.
The fights often feature non-professional athletes, influencers, or retired professionals. Opponents are chosen based on their ability to draw crowds rather than their competitive parity.
These bouts are marketed as “events” rather than serious athletic contests, with showmanship, celebrity involvement, and exaggerated rivalries playing key roles. Rules are often modified, such as shorter rounds, larger gloves, or limitations on knockouts, to reduce injury risk while maintaining audience appeal.
Revenue streams include pay-per-view sales, sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise. For example, Jake Paul’s fights have grossed millions despite criticism from traditionalists.
However, purists argue that these matches undermine the legitimacy of boxing, overshadowing serious athletes who work tirelessly to climb professional ranks. Critics liken the trend to “circus acts,” detracting from boxing’s storied history as a competitive sport.
There’s ongoing debate about the ethics of matching untrained or older individuals against younger, fitter opponents, especially when health risks are significant.
While these matches generate short-term buzz and revenue, their impact on boxing’s long-term reputation remains uncertain. Promoters often prioritise profitability over sustainable growth of the sport. Celebrities use platforms to build hype, share training footage, and create rivalries, amplifying interest among fans. These matches attract viewers outside traditional boxing audiences, including fans of influencers, gamers, and pop culture enthusiasts.
The celebrity boxing trend is likely to continue, as it taps into the intersection of sports and entertainment. However, its sustainability will depend on balancing the novelty appeal with genuine respect for boxing’s competitive integrity. Many observers suggest hybrid models where exhibition matches coexist with professional bouts on the same card to benefit both worlds.