Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have both been handed official suspensions from boxing following their controversial bout in Texas on Friday night. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation imposed the bans as part of their regulations, which require fighters to take mandatory rest periods following bouts.
Given that their fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, lasted the full eight rounds, neither Paul nor Tyson is allowed to compete for the next 24 days.
The rule mandates that fighters must rest for three days for each round fought, meaning that the eight-round exhibition bout triggered a 24-day rest requirement for both participants.
The fight itself, which saw 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul take on the 58-year-old boxing legend, ended with Paul securing a unanimous points victory. Many fans were left underwhelmed by the bout, which failed to deliver the excitement that some had anticipated.
The matchup had generated significant buzz leading up to the event, with both praise and criticism regarding the decision to allow a 58-year-old Tyson to enter the ring against a much younger opponent. The fight, however, did not live up to the hype, with Tyson struggling to land any significant blows on Paul over the course of the eight two-minute rounds.
Despite the lack of action, the event drew massive viewership numbers, with an average of 60 million households tuning in to watch the main event live, and peak viewership hitting 65 million at one point, according to MVP.
Paul, who was in control throughout the fight, later revealed that he intentionally held back during the bout, choosing not to go for a knockout against his aging opponent. “I’m sorry I didn’t knock him out,” Paul said afterward, adding that many people agreed with his decision to refrain from knocking out the boxing legend.
“After I’d seen him tired, I didn’t want to put too much hurt on him, but I wanted the fans to get a good experience,” Paul explained. “But there was a point where my aggression and violence went away when I wasn’t getting hit. I love Mike.”
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The sentiment from Paul appeared to be one of respect for Tyson, who has long been considered one of the most formidable figures in boxing history.
Despite the competitive spirit, Paul acknowledged Tyson’s age and physical limitations, choosing to dial back his aggression during the latter stages of the fight. While the bout may not have delivered the dramatic finish some hoped for, it was clear that Paul was intent on preserving Tyson’s well-being above all else.
Financially, the fight proved lucrative for both men. Jake Paul reportedly earned $40 million (approximately £32 million) for the bout, while Mike Tyson took home around $20 million (£16 million) for his participation.
The fight’s financial success was mirrored by the massive viewership, with millions tuning in to witness the showdown between the social media star and the iconic former heavyweight champion.
For Paul, the victory marked another addition to his growing professional boxing record, which now stands at 11-1. His only defeat came at the hands of Tommy Fury in February of last year, and it remains unclear what lies ahead for the 27-year-old as he continues to build his career in the boxing world.
Despite his controversial presence in the sport, Paul has amassed a substantial following and continues to draw attention with each fight.
The fact that the fight was even sanctioned came as a surprise to many, especially considering the health challenges Tyson faced earlier this year. The bout was initially scheduled for June but was postponed after Tyson suffered a severe ulcer flare-up while on a cross-country flight.
Last week, Tyson revealed that he nearly died during the episode and had to undergo eight blood transfusions as part of his recovery process. Given these circumstances, many questioned the wisdom of allowing Tyson to return to the ring, even for an exhibition fight.
With Tyson decades removed from his prime, the outcome was not unexpected, and Paul entered the ring as the heavy favorite. Still, the fight served as a spectacle, drawing both fans and critics of the sport who were curious to see how the matchup would unfold. For Tyson, the bout was another chapter in his storied career, though it was clear that age and health concerns played a major role in the outcome.
As both fighters serve their mandated suspensions, questions remain about what the future holds for each of them.
Paul, still in the early stages of his boxing journey, will likely look for his next high-profile opponent, while Tyson may consider whether it’s time to step away from the ring for good. For now, both men will take time to rest and recover, leaving fans to speculate about what comes next in the ever-evolving world of celebrity boxing.
