The recent bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson brought attention to the inevitable effects of aging on even the most legendary boxers. Despite being hailed as the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” Tyson, now 58, showcased a performance that left many fans questioning the legitimacy of the fight. Some believe the match was staged, with Tyson allegedly agreeing to a lucrative payday to avoid knocking out Paul. Others have accepted that age has significantly diminished his fighting ability.
Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision victory on November 15th after Tyson struggled to maintain his aggression beyond the first round. The fight drew reactions from fans and influencers alike, including Twitch streamer and social media personality IShowSpeed (real name Darren Watkins Jr.). A day after the fight, Speed discussed the match with Shannon Sharpe on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, sharing his first impressions of watching Tyson fight.
Speed admitted that while he had never seen Tyson in action before, he had followed Paul’s previous fights against notable opponents like Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz, and Tommy Fury. “When the fight started, Mike Tyson looked ready. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ But as it went on, I realized age was catching up to him,” Speed remarked. He expressed disappointment in Tyson’s performance, noting, “Age is really a thing. He just wasn’t there.”
Despite Tyson’s lackluster performance, the event proved to be a financial success. Tyson reportedly earned $20 million, while Paul walked away with $40 million. The fight also set a record for live viewership, with 65 million concurrent viewers streaming it on Netflix. However, Tyson’s performance drew criticism from another boxing legend, Terence Crawford.
Crawford, an undefeated former two-division undisputed champion, was unimpressed with Tyson’s display. He voiced his disapproval on social media, saying, “I love Mike Tyson, but they’re giving him too much credit. He looked like trash. Training that long and throwing only 97 punches is crazy. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt out there.” In contrast, Paul landed 78 body punches compared to Tyson’s 18, leaving fans in the arena frustrated by the lack of action.
The match also sparked discussions about its authenticity and whether it was merely a spectacle to generate revenue. Some fans, like Crawford, believe it tarnished Tyson’s legacy, while others saw it as a passing of the torch to a younger generation of boxers. Crawford himself hinted at breaking records in his future fights, claiming he could draw even larger crowds than Tyson and Paul.
For many, the fight served as a stark reminder of the impact of aging on athletic performance. While IShowSpeed found the experience eye-opening, fans and analysts alike continue to debate the true nature of the match. Was it a legitimate competition, or simply a money-making event? Regardless, the fight will remain a significant moment in boxing history.