By: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire

The highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson shattered records across sportsbooks and streaming platforms, drawing unprecedented attention to the world of combat sports. Held Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the event was a commercial success despite the underwhelming performance inside the ring.

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According to BetMGM, the fight attracted more bets and more money than any other boxing or MMA event in the sportsbook’s nearly seven-year history. The company reported that the Tyson-Paul fight generated four times as much money as any previous combat sports event, highlighting its massive appeal. ESPN BET also declared the bout its most-wagered combat sports event, with more than twice the handle of its biggest MMA event since launching in November 2023.

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“It was unbelievable for business,” said John Murray, executive director of the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas. “Casino was packed. Bets flying in all day. I was stunned.”

Over 70,000 fans filled the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium, while millions tuned in via Netflix to witness the clash between Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, and Tyson, the legendary heavyweight stepping back into the ring after nearly two decades. Netflix reported a staggering 60 million households tuned in, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams. The platform described the event as a “mega-event,” citing record-breaking viewership and significant social media buzz.

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Despite the spectacle, the fight itself left much to be desired. Paul secured a unanimous decision victory after eight uninspiring rounds. Tyson, now 58, showed signs of his age, throwing just 97 punches and landing 18. Paul’s athleticism carried him through the match, improving his professional record to 11-1.

The event elicited mixed reactions from fans and fellow fighters. Evander Holyfield, Tyson’s former rival, called the fight lackluster. Nicola Adams, an Olympic gold medalist, remarked that a prime Tyson would have easily dominated Paul. “Let’s be real,” Adams posted on X. “A young Mike Tyson would’ve absolutely annihilated Jake Paul tonight.”

The bout also drew criticism for its quality, particularly when compared to the co-main event featuring Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Their thrilling match saw Taylor controversially retain her undisputed world light-welterweight champion status, providing a stark contrast to the main event.

“I love Mike Tyson, but they giving him too much credit,” wrote Terence Crawford, a four-division world champion, on X. “He looked like trash, to train that long and only throw 97 punches the whole fight is crazy. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt out there.”