American professional boxer, Jake Paul has defeated former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson in their highly anticipated bout on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, watched by 72,300 fans, ended in a unanimous decision in favour of the 27-year-old social media influencer-turned-boxer.
Paul dominated much of the fight, with one judge scoring it 80-72 and the other two at 79-73, making him only the sixth boxer to defeat Tyson in his career.
Tyson, 58, entered the ring for his first sanctioned professional fight in nearly two decades, but his age and ring rust were evident despite a strong opening burst of energy.
The fight began with Tyson landing a few quick punches in the opening seconds, but his aggression waned as the match progressed. Paul capitalised on the opportunity, showing more aggression, though his accuracy left much to be desired with several wild swings. Tyson, on the other hand, largely adopted a defensive stance, waiting for opportunities that rarely came.
The match lacked the explosive action many had anticipated, especially when compared to the co-main event in which Katie Taylor retained her undisputed super lightweight title in a high-intensity showdown against Amanda Serrano.
The bout marked Tyson’s first professional fight since 2005, while Paul, who began his boxing career in 2018, improved his professional record to 11-1, including seven knockouts.
The win solidifies Paul’s position as a legitimate competitor in the sport and bolsters his aspirations for a future championship fight.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM SPORTING TRIBUNEÂ
Mike Tyson returns to professional boxing after 19 years
