By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-16 15:23:22 | Updated at 2024-11-22 19:29:50
6 days ago
Mike Tyson's dismal display against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul might have disappointed viewers across the world but it wasn't even the worst fight of the night at the AT&T Stadium on Friday.
'Iron Mike' made a highly-anticipated return to the professional boxing fray after 19 years against a man 31 years his junior, but by the ends the fans in Dallas were booing what had been a farcical contest.
The fight icon, 58, was unable to match Paul's energy throughout and his condition worsened as the eight-round clash went on.
Tyson, who was the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, landed just 18 punches all fight, throwing 97 in total, while Paul landed 78 in a one-sided contest in Dallas, Texas.
But some supporters in the stands seemed intent on putting on a show even sloppier than the main event, exchanging technically questionable jabs and hooks before being dragged out of the arena, The Sun reports.
The excruciating footage sees two men punching at close quarters before one over-extends himself and falls over, as entertained bystanders watch on.
One fan was spotted in the stands slipping over as fights broke out among the crowd
The pair ended up in a clinch as the clash died down but other fights took place in Dallas
The scraps were more entertaining than the dismal comeback made by veteran Tyson
The pair continue to search for the knockout blow but end up in a clinch after failing to land anything of substance, before one attempts to seal victory with a headlock.
Video then seems to show the duo being escorted out of the arena through the gangway.
The event in Texas featured a number of scraps between those attending the event, including two women who had to be separated in the stands.
One fan even reportedly ended up in the stadium jail on a night of chaos among the 70,000 supporters - the highest gate for a boxing fight outside of Las Vegas.
The fight itself was less eventful, with Tyson failing to roll back the years to produce the comeback performance many fans were crying out to see.
Following his victory, Paul revealed it was a conscious decision not to inflict any unnecessary pain on the 58-year-old who, in his view 'didn't need to be hurt'.
When asked whether he eased up after noticing Tyson tiring, Paul said: 'Yeah definitely. Definitely a bit.
'I wanted to give the fans a show but I didn't want to hurt someone that didn't need to be hurt.'
Tyson, 58, was unable to keep pace with his younger opponent and landed only 18 punches
After an early flurry, Tyson started to look defeated in the ring in Dallas on Friday night
The YouTuber even bowed to his 58-year-old opponent in the latter stages of the fight
And speaking to Mail Sport after the fight, Jake's brother Logan said of Tyson: 'I think Jake let him live.'
He added: 'He's tough, proud of him, weathered the storm against a young brute named Jake Paul.'
The underwhelming spectacle drew a few boos at the finish, while many of the those who watched the clash online were left feeling empty by the sight of the veteran.
Tyson was only in action for 16 minutes on Friday. But to those watching him lumber around the ring with a brace on his right knee, it felt much longer. At one point, 'he's 58' began trending on X in reference to Iron Mike's age.
Tyson did just about enough to make the first the only round he won.
Thereafter, the YouTuber kept doing enough to ensure his 11th victory in 12 fights but not sufficient to inflict serious damage on the boxing legend.
The veteran was competing in his first professional duel in almost two decades and it showed as he failed to keep pace with his much younger opponent.
