So Mike Tyson’s controversial return to professional boxing turned out to be everything boxing purists feared. An aggressive burst off the first ball, followed by a destitute display in which the much-feared player looked like a sitting duck as he stumbled around the ring.

The blunt fight, which Jake Paul won by unanimous decision, drew jeers from most of the 70,000-strong crowd at AT&T Stadium in Texas, with many leaving the arena before the final stages.

But while Tyson’s boxing legacy has taken a hit, the 58-year-old’s bank balance has grown enormously.

During most of the preparations, the former world heavyweight champion claimed that his motivation for returning to the ring was not money, but the desire to prove himself again. However, after years of financial conflicts, the amounts offered inevitably led him to agree to fight the YouTuber.

Although neither boxer has confirmed exact figures, Iron Mike is reported to have earned just under £16 million from the fight, which equates to around £1 million per minute. Paul, whose ability to promote himself has long outweighed his actual ability, is said to have pocketed more than £31 million.

Indeed, “The Problem Child” previously spoke candidly about his reasons for targeting Tyson, saying, “This is definitely my biggest payday of any fight.”

He also suggested that the pair would also receive generous bonuses, leading to speculation that Tyson would earn more if he managed to go the distance. “There are definitely some guaranteed amounts and other built-in bonuses and other sales complements – key performance indicators that trigger certain things,” the 27-year-old added.

But while Paul was magnanimous in the immediate aftermath of his monotonous victory, he soon began mocking the icon at the post-fight press conference. Sitting next to promoter Nakisa Bidarian, he said he made good on his promise and beat Tyson from start to finish.

“I mean, what do people say?” he asked. “I told everyone what I was going to do. And this was supposed to give him a boxing lesson.

Bidarian also weighed in, saying, “It was an unbelievable display between a 58-year-old legend and a relatively adolescent 27-year-old boxer. And he (pointing to Paul) actually sent the boxer into the penalty area. Jake Paul sent Mike Tyson just like he promised, right? Every round.”

Regardless, fans and pundits alike reacted cynically and urged Tyson to stay away from the ring. However, immediately after the loss, the veteran called out Paul’s brother, Logan, raising fears that he would once again put his health at risk for another unexpected financial gain.

Mike Tyson faced both sympathy and criticism following Saturday’s loss to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, to which Conor McGregor reacted. The 58-year-old lost by unanimous decision after an average eight two-minute rounds at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Paul, 31 years younger than Tyson, was widely criticized after the victory when several US states refused to sanction the fight.

Texas offered the green delicate only by forcing changes, including shortening round times and putting heavier gloves on fighters that reduce the force of punches.

Critics of the fight included UFC icon McGregor, who deleted the controversial reaction tweet after it received backlash.

After the final bell, McGregor wrote on X: “They are looking at Prichard Colon as their next opponent.”

Colon’s story is one of boxing’s greatest tragedies. During a fight with Terrell Williams in 2015, the American-Puerto Rican star was punched in the back of the head and then collapsed in his dressing room.

The 32-year-old suffered life-changing injuries after he was placed in a 221-day coma due to a brain haemorrhage. He is in a vegetative state and receives daily care.

After the quickly deleted post, one user called McGregor a “scabbard.” Elsewhere, other fighters reacted to Tyson’s defeat.

WBC lightweight champion Gervonta Davis took aim at Paul, writing on Instagram: “To the fool who shared the ring with Mike… you are a total moron for this and you didn’t do your job, moron.”

He also sent his support to Iron Mike, adding: “You will forever be a legend… whether you like it or not, and there will never be another one! And I understand you so well… all this shit doesn’t mean anything.

Another boxing legend, Terence Crawford, was not so complimentary, sharply criticizing Tyson’s wavering performance.

“I love Mike Tyson, but he gets too much credit. He looked like garbage,” Crawford wrote in X.

“To train for so long and only land 97 punches, the whole fight is crazy. I’m glad he didn’t get injured there.”

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew expressed his disagreements on social media as the fight progressed.

He actually showed respect to Paul by suggesting that the “Problem Child” went effortless on Tyson to avoid earnest injury.

Bellew stated: “I don’t like that stupid kid, idiot, but I’ll say this. He stopped beating Mike and showed him respect and dignity by letting him live!

“He didn’t go there for the KO; he got off him and let him live… Mike, we all adore you, king, you are a superhero for all of us, from the world of proper fighting!”

After months of anticipation and preparation, Jake Paul defeated an understated Mike Tyson by unanimous decision at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Tens of millions of viewers will watch Paul (11-1, 7 KO) fight Tyson (50-7, 44 KO), and part of the intrigue was to see if the 58-year-old Up-to-date Yorker could muster enough fire to upset the brash YouTuber.

That wasn’t to be, however, as “Iron Mike” looked his age in impressive fashion and was unable to catch up with the Ohio native, who was able to keep him at bay with faster feet and a longer push.

Outside of a spirited first round, Tyson had little to no success in the fight, and it looked like “The Problem Child” could have secured a stoppage at any point starting in round three.

Fortunately, he seemed reluctant to reach the finish line, whether out of pity for the exhausted legend across from him or fear of being caught by a counterattack on the way inside.

When the final bell rang, there was no longer any doubt about which hand would be raised and about the three judges standing at ringside declared Paul the broad winner.

Jake Paul bows to Mike Tyson at the end of the match. #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/FUQGZVyADQ

— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024

Taylor nods at Serrano

After the epic battle at Madison Square Garden in 2022, Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KO) and Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KO) secured another classic in the main event.

Serrano appeared to have the advantage until she suffered a brutal cut to her eyebrow just before the halfway point, potentially taking the fight to a disappointing finish early on.

However, the doctor allowed her to continue, and the Puerto Rican showed plenty of heart to see out the final bell, achieving more than her fair share of success.

There were boos when the unanimous decision was announced for Taylor, with many observers feeling that the challenger had done enough – especially considering the Irishwoman’s points deduction in the eighth round.

10 full rounds until the last second. KATIE TAYLOR VS AMANDA SERRANO WAS CRAZY. #TaylorSerrano #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/c2VSuoPsiX

— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024

Nothing that could divide Barrios and Ramos

Defending champions Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO) and Abel Ramos Jr (28-6-3, 22 KO) took part in a welterweight world title fight that was as bloody as it was entertaining.

Both men fell and were badly injured, but dug deep to hear the final bell and leave the decision to the three judges at ringside who were unable to separate them. A draw was declared, meaning the title remains in Barrios’ hands, however an immediate rematch seems inevitable.

HELL FIGHT #BarriosRamos #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/M9c78qc5Wn

— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024

Further undercard summary

India’s favorite Neeraj Goyat (19-4-2, 8 KO) turned out to be one level better than Brazilian influencer Whindersson Nunes (0-1), defeating him decisively over six rounds.

Shadasia Green (15-1, 11 KO) and Melinda Watpool (7-1, 2 KO) fought for the super middleweight world titles, and the former came away with a razor-thin victory.

Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KO) had a tougher-than-advertised fight against Italian lightweight champion Armando Casamonica (14-1, 3 KO), but he did enough to earn a majority decision victory.

In the event’s curtain raiser, heated featherweight prospect Bruce Carrington (14-0, 8 KO) was able to score points against Dana Coolwell (13-3, 8 KO).