Jake Paul and Mike Tyson squared off Friday night in front of a roaring crowd of over 72,300 at AT&T Stadium, marking a historic moment in Texas combat sports. The event not only set the record for the biggest gate in Texas history but also became the ninth-highest grossing combat sports event ever in the U.S. Adding to the accolades, the fight broke streaming records on Netflix, with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) reporting a peak viewership of 65 million households, despite some technical glitches.
Following the high-profile bout, both fighters were handed a 24-day suspension—not for misconduct, but as a safety measure mandated by Texas law. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which sanctioned the fight as a professional bout, enforces a rule requiring fighters to rest for three days per round fought. With the match consisting of eight two-minute rounds, Paul and Tyson must now adhere to the 24-day no-sparring period to recover from any potential injuries.
Such suspensions are standard in combat sports to prioritize the health and safety of the athletes.
The match itself was not particularly close, as the judges unanimously scored in favor of Jake Paul. One judge gave Paul a commanding 80-72 edge, while the other two scored it 79-73.
Tyson, stepping into the ring for his first sanctioned professional fight in nearly 20 years at age 58, opened strong, landing a few quick punches in the opening moments. However, he lacked sustained aggression as the fight progressed, opting to let Paul take the lead. Meanwhile, Paul, still building his boxing career, showed more initiative but struggled with accuracy, missing several punches with wild swings.
The fight was initially scheduled for July 20 but was postponed after Tyson suffered a stomach ulcer during a flight.
The showdown at AT&T Stadium was not only a spectacle in the ring but also a celebrity-studded affair. Big names like Evander Holyfield, Shaquille O’Neal, Sugar Ray Leonard, Charlize Theron, Jerry Jones, Simu Liu, and Daddy Yankee were in attendance, making the event a major cultural moment as well as a sporting one.
While the fight may not have delivered high-octane action, it underscored Tyson’s enduring legacy and Paul’s ambition to climb the ranks in the boxing world. The temporary suspension gives both fighters a chance to rest, and fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what lies ahead for these two vastly different boxing personalities.
For now, the event remains a testament to the enduring appeal of boxing and its ability to bring together legends, newcomers, and fans alike for a night of unforgettable entertainment.
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