AAged 58, heavyweight legend Mike Tyson was beaten by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a professional exhibition-style fight on Friday in Arlington (Texas, United States).
Tyson, who had not fought professionally since 2005, and after a good start to the fight, was largely dominated by Paul, unanimously awarded the winner by the judges after 8 rounds of 2 minutes.
“It’s such an honor, Mike Tyson is a legend, the greatest in history, he inspired me. It was very hard as expected,” praised Jake Paul.
“I’m happy, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself, I was happy with what I was able to do,” Tyson commented for his part.
After showing himself strong and dangerous for two rounds, Mike Tyson appeared weakened and was largely dominated by his young opponent who used his reach to hit him with his left jabs.
Tyson, boxing legend and youngest heavyweight world champion in 1986, had not boxed professionally since June 2005 and a defeat against Irishman Kevin McBride. He had to postpone the originally scheduled fight against Paul on July 20, after receiving medical treatment on May 26 on board a plane due to an ulcer.
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Many observers, including former American boxing world champion Deontay Wilder, have expressed concern about seeing a nearly sixty-year-old lined up in a professional fight, saying they fear a serious injury. The fight, fought in front of more than 72,000 spectators, was adapted for this purpose, with 8 rounds of 2 minutes (instead of 12 rounds of 3 minutes) and slightly thicker gloves.
