58-year-old Mike Tyson was beaten by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an exhibition-style fight Friday in Arlington. He lost on points.
The judges rendered a unanimous decision after the 8 rounds of 2 minutes. Mike Tyson, who had not fought professionally since 2005, and after a good start to the fight, was largely dominated by his opponent.
‘It’s such an honor, Mike Tyson is a legend, the greatest in history, he inspired me. It was very hard as expected,’ praised Jake Paul. ‘I’m happy, I have nothing to prove to anyone other than myself, I was happy with what I was able to do,’ commented Mike Tyson for his part.
Mike Tyson, boxing legend and youngest heavyweight world champion in 1986, had not boxed professionally since June 2005 and a defeat against Irishman Kevin McBride. He had to postpone the originally scheduled fight against Paul on July 20, after receiving medical treatment on May 26 on board a plane due to an ulcer.
Many observers, including former world champion Deontay Wilder, have expressed concern about seeing a nearly sixty-year-old lined up in a professional fight, saying they fear a serious injury. The fight, fought in front of more than 72,000 spectators, was adapted for this purpose, with 8 rounds of 2 minutes (instead of 12 rounds of 3 minutes) and slightly thicker gloves.
/ATS
