8 Reasons Why Paul vs. Tyson Fight Was Disappointing

Headlines surrounding the highly-anticipated brawl between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson involved many terms and predictions. High prospects for the returning “legend,” with many curious eyes darting toward the Vine alum known as “The Problem Child.”

Online influencer-turned-boxer versus “Iron” Mike garnered incredible anticipation. This match was for a modern audience to witness with the help of Netflix’s live service. Supplemented by six previous fights, the main event between Paul and Tyson rose to extraordinary expectations.

Sadly, the endgame was a disappointing display of normality and sore movement. Several factors play into the mediocre presentation, and it’s critical to examine why Paul versus Tyson wound up as an unsatisfying conclusion.

Spectacle Over Skillfulness

With eight rounds between Paul and Tyson, all bets were off as to who may come out on top. Paul is built and a young 27-year-old, while Tyson obtains physical greatness at 58. Aside from Draft Kings promotions and anxieties, the boxing entertainment smacked around jabs, hooks, and glove-biting breathers.

However, the overall energy started to wear off after the initial two rounds. Both fighters’ stamina never complemented stadium-soaring power punches; watching the match felt similar to a spar. All the talk about “knocking” each other out? All work and (almost) no play.

The Knee Brace

During the Paul versus Tyson exhibition spar, the fight’s commentators spoke on the latter’s knee brace.

“I don’t like Mike’s legs,” one commentator said, highlighting the fighter’s weakened stance.

With Paul coming up victorious, Tyson admitted the knee brace was for an injury, all the while confessing to his biting tendencies people witnessed throughout the night. If not for the injury/knee brace, the fight could have turned out differently and, perhaps, more bombastically. Tyson already rescheduled due to health concerns; why not do it again, knowing he’s past his prime?

What Age Gap?

With 31 years between the two, Paul versus Tyson reminds us of Rocky Balboa (2006). In the film, Rocky, age 60, goes against Antonio Tarver’s character, who carries an unpopular status in the boxing world even at a young age.

The predictable outcome mirrors the live Netflix event, adding to the expected fallout of an otherwise loose nostalgic trip.

Mike Tyson’s Cheeky Actions

“The Baddest Man on the Planet” does not regard cameras and interviewers sincerely. While indeed a character, Tyson didn’t seem interested in talking with anyone during the event.

However, Tyson did open up to two people. While Tyson’s son Amir interviewed his father, Tyson offered brief responses before casually exposing his hindquarters to millions of people. As for Guerra’s “Jazzy’s World TV” broadcast, the champ spoke with a nihilistic, depressing tone while downplaying the “legend” term.

“I’m just passing through. I’m gonna die and it’s gonna be over,” Tyson calmly suggested after denying his iconic status. Guerra is only 14 years old.

Netflix Live Event at 25% and Staying

Netflix hosting a live-streaming event sounds like an excellent moneymaking opportunity, but many are wondering if they could request a refund.

Prior to the Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos match, a wide array of Netflix users reported technical issues, including stream interruptions, sound cuts, the dreaded “25%” buffer cycle, and poor quality results.

Issues continued until after Paul defeated Tyson, where AT&T Stadium attendees audibly booed at the outcome.

Undercards Remain Superior

Regarding the Marrios versus Ramos fight, Netflix premiered two other battles that ensued with glorious boxing bouts of action.

Before Marrios and Ramos, the contest between Neeraj Goyat and Whindersson Nunes gave fans a bit of slapstick entertainment that everyone will surely remember.

Furthermore, the Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano contest proved to be a bloody and vicious brawl, with the latter fighting with a busted eye wound. Compared to the main event, the previous matches put on a sweet parade of sportsmanship, performance, and brutality. Paul and Tyson were anything but.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, BFFs

From Tyson’s thunderous slap prior to the event to Paul’s racist and arrogant antics, plenty of drama stirred behind the scenes before November 15’s live event. Both men promised to deliver knockouts, as these gladiators-in-shorts argued time and time again.

Paul’s half-baked entrance also featured Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” a callback to Tyson’s role in The Hangover (2009).

By the end of the eighth round, both fighters had given up the exercise. When the 10-second clock struck down the final seconds, Paul bowed to Tyson, with the former champion accepting the gesture. The bell rings, and the two men embrace like long-lost soulmates.

Post-match discussions show the fighters complimenting one another before cameramen come for the pictures.

The Other Paul

Jake’s brother Logan showed up for support. Logan Paul, the infamous and controversial online personality, is now part of the boxing festivities.

Logan Paul stepped into his brother’s room, rode alongside him for his slow-moving entrance, and remained in the ring for the results. When Tyson was asked who might be next in terms of an opponent, he pointed to Logan, with the Paul brother replying, “[expletive], I’ll kill you, Mike!”

At this rate, the event became a cheap world wrestling entertainment-esque parody for some of us.