Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: A Mockery of Boxing or a Reflection of Ourselves?

2 Hours Ago

Nov 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, UNITED STATES; Mike Tyson (black gloves) fights Jake Paul (silver gloves) at AT&T Stadium / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

By Latame Philips

Mike Tyson entered the ring at a chiseled 227 pounds, a weight reminiscent of his prime. Across from him stood Jake Paul, a physically imposing 6'1" heavyweight, also tipping the scales at 227 pounds. On paper, the matchup seemed oddly balanced—two men who looked the part of warriors ready for battle. But the reality of Friday night’s spectacle was far from the stuff of boxing legend.

Jake Paul masterfully controlled the fight with a stiff jab, maintaining a proper distance, and preventing Tyson from doing what he once did better than anyone: cut the ring off and make his opponent pay. For eight long rounds, Tyson—at 58 years old—failed to force Paul into an exchange. The CompuBox stats told the story: Paul outlanded Tyson by 60 punches. The numbers, the optics, the narrative—it all added up to one inescapable conclusion: this fight was an embarrassment.

For months leading up to this event, the prevailing storyline was one of inevitable destruction. People spoke of Tyson destroying Paul as if it were June of 1988 again, when “Iron Mike” decimated Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds. Back then, Tyson was a force of nature, the embodiment of primal power. Fans of a certain age remember not just the victories, but the aura—Tyson was the most feared man on the planet.

So why did anyone think a 58-year-old Tyson, now closer to collecting a Social Security check than his prime, would fare well against a 27-year-old in great shape? This is not to disparage Tyson. The man’s legacy is untouchable. He dominated Larry Holmes, obliterated Trevor Berbick, and, yes, bit Evander Holyfield’s ear—when Jake Paul was still an infant. Tyson is a legend, but time spares no one, not even the "Baddest Man on the Planet."

Jake Paul, on the other hand, is no boxing legend. He is a marketing genius masquerading as a prizefighter. Paul has built a fortune by crafting a narrative that resonates with younger audiences. He has made millions fighting aging MMA stars, anonymous boxers, and now Tyson—a man twice his age.

But this is not entirely Paul’s fault. It’s ours. We allowed this to happen.

Ask any adult over 40 who Jake Paul is, and they’ll likely respond with something like, “My kids told me he’s a YouTuber, but I heard he’s boxing now.” These same adults remember Tyson’s reign. They remember when you couldn’t leave your seat during a Tyson fight because you’d miss the knockout if you blinked. And yet, we’ve collectively bought into Paul’s narrative.

We’ve cheered (not me) as Paul positioned himself as a “giant slayer,” ignoring that his opponents are long past their prime. His ascent is not unlike the brilliant PepsiCo Frito-Lay Super Bowl commercial where NFL Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Dan Marino, Jerry Rice, and Randy Moss returned to the field. Fans cheered, current players were in awe, only for reality to set in: these legends were too old to compete.

Friday night’s fight in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas was the same story. Tyson’s highlights from the 1980s and 1990s live rent-free in the minds of those who grew up watching him, but those memories can’t step into the ring. We saw that clearly as Paul jabbed and moved, while Tyson chased a phantom of his former self.

The Jake Paul phenomenon isn’t about boxing—it’s about storytelling, marketing, and our own willingness to suspend disbelief. Paul is not a prizefighter; he’s a product. And with each fight, he sells us the illusion that he’s slaying giants. But we know the truth: Tyson, like Paul’s other opponents, is simply too old.

So let’s put this to rest. Let’s stop wasting our conversations, money, and time on the Jake Paul show. Tyson will always be a legend, and Paul will always be a savvy marketer. But this circus does not deserve our attention. Boxing deserves better.

It’s time to move on.