Mike Tyson's fight with Jake Paul on Netflix draws eyeballs, and dollars. Is it good for the sport?

Social media influencer Jake Paul defeated former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in what some have called one of the most-watched boxing events ever, taking place in Texas on Friday. Paul triumphed by unanimous decision in a highly anticipated intergenerational battle.

The fight, held at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, saw Paul pay tribute to Tyson with a bow before the final bell. The judges scored the match widely in Paul’s favor, with one giving him an 80-72 advantage and the other two scoring it 79-73.

Tyson was the first to strike, landing a few quick punches right after the opening bell, but he did not maintain that momentum. Paul, though aggressive, struggled with accuracy as there were several wild swings and misses throughout the match.

The event, streamed live on Netflix, attracted significant attention due to both fighters' celebrity status, but opinions on the match were divided. Some viewed the event as a "farce" that failed to live up to the hype, while others considered the publicity beneficial for the sport of boxing.

Jake Paul, 27, a former child star who rose to fame on YouTube in the 2010s, began his professional boxing career four years ago. He trains full-time and has participated in several high-profile, novelty matches, but none as monumental as facing Tyson.

Tyson, 58, one of the most iconic boxers in history, was the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 and retired in 2005. He participated in an exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 that ended in a draw, but has since struggled with health issues, including sciatica. This match was initially scheduled for July but was delayed after Tyson fell ill with a stomach ulcer in May.

Both fighters were set to earn substantial paydays. Tyson was expected to make $20 million, while Paul, who co-founded the company behind the event in partnership with Netflix, stood to make double that amount.

Critics, such as Spider Jones, a Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame member, referred to the matchup as a "sham," suggesting that Paul should be challenging top contenders rather than a retired 58-year-old. Former world champion boxer Duke McKenzie also expressed discomfort with the idea of watching a former champion face an influencer for entertainment, pointing out that many dedicated fighters struggle to earn similar sums.

While some thought Tyson would win early, Jones predicted that Paul’s significant age advantage would eventually work in his favor if he survived Tyson’s initial flurry of punches. Regardless of the outcome, he noted, both fighters were bound to win financially.

Netflix, which has previously dabbled in live sports streaming, likely experienced its biggest live sporting event yet, though high viewer demand led to server outages, with over 85,000 users reporting issues leading up to the fight, according to tracking site Downdetector.com.

The fight consisted of eight two-minute rounds, shorter than the usual three-minute rounds for professional boxing, and both fighters wore 14-ounce gloves, which are heavier than the standard 10-ounce gloves.

Tyler Buxton, president of United Promotions Boxing, called the event "massive" for boxing, acknowledging it as the largest boxing event of the year. He had predicted Paul would win, citing his skills as a boxer.

Matt Hoffar, CEO of Empire Boxing Enterprises, was initially surprised by the announcement but acknowledged the excitement generated by the event, particularly among Tyson’s long-time fans. He expressed hope that Tyson would prove that seasoned boxers still had an edge over newcomers like Paul, with many hoping for a comeback from the veteran fighter.