Booing fans, a weary 58-year-old fighter and lack of aggression mar one of the most hyped boxing fights of the year.The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell and bowed towards 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Paying homage to one of the biggest names in boxing history did not do much for the fans who filled the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys on Friday night.
[Relive the fight in our blow-by-blow live coverage wrap.]
Paul won an eight-round unanimous decision over Tyson as the hits did not match the hype in a fight between the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former heavyweight champion in his first sanctioned pro bout in almost 20 years.
All the hate from the pre-fight build-up was gone, replaced by boos from bewildered fans hoping for more from a fight that drew plenty of questions about its legitimacy long beforehand.
American basketball icon Magic Johnson expressed his disappointment on X, saying: “The fight was not great for boxing.”
Just sad smh. I cut it off because I couldn’t watch anymore. It’s sad to see Mike Tyson like this because I went to every Tyson fight.
This fight tonight was not great for boxing.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 16, 2024
The fight was not close on the judge’s cards, with one giving Paul an 80-72 edge and the other two calling it 79-73.
“Let’s give it up for Mike,” Paul said in the ring, not getting much response from a crowd that started filing out before the decision was announced. “He’s the greatest to ever do it. I look up to him. I’m inspired by hi …