Ivan Malfatto
November 16, 2024 (changed at 07:16) – MILANO
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul gave themselves almost more effort at the weigh-ins (103 kg each) with that slap that went viral, than in the ring at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dalla Cowboys. In front of 80,000 spectators and superstars such as Charlize Theron, Shaquille O’Neil, Sugar Ray Leonard and many others, the boxing match (or media event) of the year was won by Jake Paul, 27 years old. Thus he fulfilled his dream of beating his legend, who was thirty years older. Unanimous decision by the three judges and it couldn’t have been otherwise. Because Tyson, upon returning after almost twenty years, tried to fight for three rounds, with a speed distantly related to the best times, then logically disappeared in front of the youth and athletic preparation of his rival. A match that adds nothing to his glory, it was just big business.
he matches
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Special rules: 14-ounce gloves instead of 10, 2-minute rounds instead of 3, and eight rounds overall. In the first round Tyson, wearing black trousers and no socks like the old days, takes the center of the ring and presses Paul who circles around and tries to keep him away with the jab. Even in the second Paul’s tactics allow him to contain Tyson’s aggression and hit him. Paul, more active in the third, hits the best shots, Iron Mike is now standing still, his 58 years can be felt. Same thing in the fourth and fifth, Paul’s jab gives problems to an increasingly static Tyson, he is no longer able to land shots on target, except for a left hook. Same script in the sixth and seventh, Paul in full control with the jabs and left hooks, the match has nothing left to say. The final round confirms this, with Jake Paul bowing to Mike Tyson before the final bell. Dutiful. But how sad to see an icon like Iron Mike make a comeback like this.
sottoclou
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Three world championships awarded before the main event. In the awaited rematch between Katie Taylor (Ireland) and Amanada Serrano (Puerto Rico), the “undisputed” title of women’s super lightweights in the 4 main titles held by the Irishwoman was once again dominated by Taylor, the reigning champion, with a contested verdict unanimous on points (three 95-94 for the judges) after a bloody battle (both injured) where the rival seemed to have prevailed. Mario Barrios (USA) retains the WBC welterweight title by drawing with compatriot Abel Ramos. In the WBO women’s super middleweight, Shadasia Green (USA) won the vacant belt by beating Melinda Watpool (Canada) on points with a non-unanimous decision.
