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).

Mike Tyson may have once been widely known as “the baddest man in the world,” but he wasn’t everyone’s most unsafe opponent. The youngest ever world heavyweight boxing champion fought 58 times in his iconic career, losing only six times.

One of them faced one of the best British boxers of all time, Lennox Lewis.

The only clash between the two came in 2002 in Tennessee, when Lewis, who had all four belts in his division on the line, knocked out the American with a devastating right hook in the eighth round.

One of the British icon’s most memorable shows took place there, but according to the man himself, it wasn’t his most arduous task. Three years before the fight with Tyson, Lewis fought two fights with Evander Holyfield, giving him a chance to unify the heavyweight division.

Their first contest at Madison Square Garden controversially ended in a draw, even though Lewis appeared to dominate the proceedings. However, in the rematch, he made amends by taking a unanimous decision against the man known as “The Real Deal”.

In an Instagram post, the 59-year-old explained why Holyfield was the toughest opponent he had ever faced. “People seem really surprised when I tell them that Holyfield is my toughest opponent, not to be confused with my toughest fight, which was Ray Mercer,” he wrote.

“It’s a huge experience and it’s unthreatening to say that by the time we met for the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1999, he had seen it all. When you combine Evander’s amateur and professional experience, it’s challenging not to notice the success he’s had in the ring.

“I may tease him a bit during our two fights, he knows I won both fights even though he won’t admit it. But seriously, he’s the only man who has fought 24 rounds with me.”

Lewis also mentioned that Holyfield had previously been crowned the undisputed champion at the cruiserweight level, calling him the “best ever” in that weight class. And for what it’s worth, Tyson, who returns to professional boxing this weekend after his clash with Jake Paul, apparently agrees.

He also previously hailed Holyfield as his toughest opponent, praising his dedication and in-ring skills. “A great champion – beard, heart, determination, work ethic, attitude,” he said.

In addition to Lewis and Holyfield, Tyson also suffered losses to James “Buster” Douglas, Danny Williams and Irish journeyman Kevin McBride. That final fight in 2005 was initially his last of his career, and the 58-year-old retired immediately thereafter until his professional fight against Paul this weekend.