JAKE PAUL easily beat a 58-year-old Mike Tyson as fans booed their underwhelming and dull Netflix fight.
The youngster wore out the veteran and can now brag that he defeated boxing icon Iron Mike in the ring.
But the highly-anticipated fight failed to match the hype.
Tyson was the youngest heavyweight champion of the world aged just 20 all the way back in November 1986.
He then became the undisputed king of the boxing division – a decade before Paul was even born.
Paul, 27, dubbed The Problem Child, found fame on the Disney channel before becoming a YouTube sensation with his brother Logan.
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A 58-year-old against someone young enough to be his son – the largest age difference in a legally-sanctioned professional boxing fight of all time.
Tyson, who had won 44 of his 50 professional wins by knockout – had his last official fight nearly 20 years ago in June 2005.
Paul a social media influencer turned boxer lost to Tommy Fury last year.
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Make no mistake about it, this clash of eras, clash of egos and clash of entertainers could only happen because of the cash on offer for the Baddest Man on the Planet, one of the all-time boxing greats.
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But after Tori Kelly performed the national anthem inside the packed-out AT&T Stadium in Texas, it was – finally – time for the talking to stop and for the long-awaited fight to, at lost last, take centre stage in front of a star-studded crowd.
Paul came to the ring first amid a chorus of boos, driven in a customised green Chevvy car alongside his brother Logan, with a pigeon in a cage, as In The Air Tonight played over the speakers.
The youngster is an entertainer and was ready to shine – not just because he was dressed in silver shorts, gloves and a jacket totalling 360 diamonds and costing $1million.
For Tyson, it was a far simpler ring walk – an old-school black LFGO robe, black trunks, black gloves, a support on his right knee and a gentle solo stroll to face his foe.
No riff-raff, no unnecessary paraphernalia.
Tyson the boxer, here for business.
A quick briefing from the referee, a touch of the gloves and the ring emptied but for the two fighters and the man tasked with keeping the eight-round bout in order.
Paul says: “I love you, Mike” just before the bell and then runs away at the first opportunity.
It was a cowardly move – but a clever one to tire the veteran, who landed a couple of big early shots, out.
Within the first three rounds, Tyson was spent – allowing Paul to duck and weave with his 27-year-old energy.
The stagnant 58-year-old, though, was lumbering around the ring, could barely keep his gumshield in and had nothing to offer, completely shattered.
Just four punches were landed between them in the fifth round as the quality – or lack of quality – of the fifth was laid bare and proved many people’s fears and suspicions about the so-called fight.
Tyson showed a bit of life early in the seventh round – but early being the crucial word.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson round-by-round
MIKE TYSON’s long-awaited return to the ring didn’t have the fairytale ending fight fans dreamed of.
SunSport’s boxing expert Wally Downes Jr recaps one of the drabbest and most forgettable nights in boxing history.
And he didn’t hold back, issuing a scathing assessment of social media sensation Jake Paul.
Round One
Paul says “I love you, Mike” just before the opening bell sounds. He quickly runs away and holds the boxing legend.
Tyson draws a big reaction from the crowd as he lands a jab and a good right hand.
Verdict: 10-9 Tyson
Round Two
Paul ran away in the opener and held – just like we thought he would.
Tommy Fury had it first and now Mike Tyson. It’s clever because Tyson will tire. Paul tags Tyson’s body with a straight right.
Tyson looks spent now. 180 seconds in and the fight looks over.
Verdict: 10-9 Tyson
Round Three
The legend cannot even keep his gumshield in. As expected it’s a waste of time. Paul has run away until the 58-year-old has tired.
Shooting ducks in a barrel now. Tyson might get hurt here. Paul lands a couple of clumsy shots and Tyson wobbles backwards.
Tragic after three.
Verdict: 10-9 Paul
Round Four
This is proper rubbish. The crowd are bored and boos are being heard.
This is just two tired big lumps going at it. One a legend, one a promoter.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Five
Paul jabs the body and aims right for the head and another one-two clips the icon.
Tyson cannot keep his mouthpiece in, he is gasping for air. Paul lands a left hook but then so does Tyson.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Six
Thank God these weren’t three-minute rounds. We are getting about four punches per round.
Tyson is gasping in the air but replays show a left hook did graze Paul’s beard.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Seven
Tyson slips a jab and tries an uppercut. The commentator admits it has been a “sad” spectacle.
The AT&T stadium has been utterly stunk out. Paul is looking just as tired as Tyson.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Eight
Go back to YouTube, Jake. You’re an excellent conman. But you’ve never been a boxer.
The Judges decide: 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73. I’m glad Tyson gets paid and has stayed safe.
But what a laughable performance from Paul to add to his stinker with Tommy Fury.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
SunSport’s final scorecard – 78-74 for Jake Paul
Click to read the full round-by-round breakdown.
Within 20 seconds, he was blowing hard and still had 100 seconds to get to the bell vertical as Paul refused to take advantage and go for the KO.
By the end, Tyson had given up and the final bell could not come soon enough as the commentator brilliantly called it: “Father time is unbeaten for a reason.”
When it did come, they embraced, exchanged classy pleasantries and showed their respect – but the result was not in question.
A unanimous decision that went 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73 with the three judges to Paul.
And for the thousands watching on Netflix around the world, they were just glad the farce was over and old Tyson had walked away unscathed.
One said: “The saddest watch in boxing history.”
Another wrote: “Paul vs Tyson… I was expecting something more, but this felt like a waste.”
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A third added: “Everybody lost. Paul. Tyson. Us. What a waste of time.”
And a final user responded: “This is boring. Embarrassing. Paul looks scared to p*** Tyson off. Tyson looks like a retired gym teacher. 2/10 would not recommend.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
