On March 7th 2024, the fight between 27-year-old Youtuber – turned – boxer, Jake Paul and a 58-year-old undisputed boxing great, Mike Tyson, is made official, after prolonged rumours.
Since its agreement, the event’s promotional and marketing strategies have created long anticipation among fans of boxing, and major sports figures. (if you can even call this boxing). Two extremely mediatic figures, who are usually remembered by their polemic personalities, is gold for entertainment media companies. And that is what Netflix intelligently and quickly realised. No sooner said than done, Paul vs Tyson produced unprecedented figures, becoming the most streamed sporting event in history. Which according to Netflix, 65 million viewers globally, were simultaneously watching, what was meant to be the fight of the year. However, it was very far from that.
The event definitely didn’t deliver on what it promised. With provocations from both sides, long physical preparation, and its extensive marketing, press and media hype, all the expectations created, was unarguably not reflected in the ring.
Boxing fans and sports figures were left disappointed and underwhelmed with the “boring” fight, with many criticising and referring to the unfairness, purposelessness and tediousness of the match:
Basketball legend, Magic Johnson commented: “Just sad somehow. 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”.
American professional boxer, Terrence Crawford, wrote “(Tyson) Looked like trash… I am just glad he didn’t get hurt out there”.
Boxer, Tony Bellew, expressed his critical thoughts about Jake Paul and the fight: “Don’t tune into him until he fights someone who is fit healthy and not a grandfather”.
Exaggerating the obvious age gap and physical disparities between the fighters, to complement Bellew comment, comedian Dan Carney typed: “Jake Paul should fight Joe Biden next”.
The unanimous decision to give the win to Paul, as he landed 78 punches, in comparison to miserable Tyson’s 18, is a clear representation of the unfair ability and physical performance caused by the 31 years age difference. Like Magic Johson, I question the value in which these events bring to boxing. Because it has certainly not brought any enjoyment to the millions who were watching it.
The sport is not at fault here. Boxing is actually the victim of a “celebrity trend”, which has taken for granted the essence, esteem and history of the sport.
