On Nov. 15, 72,300 fans gathered at AT&T stadium to watch Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul face off against professional boxer Mike Tyson, who’s known for his powerful knockouts. It was the kind of fight destined to keep viewers glued to their screens – when Netflix glitches were not stealing the spotlight.
Netflix’s debut in live combat sports was a failure, with its live streaming service crashing as 120 million people – including sophomore Maya Kadia – flocked to watch the historical fight. Social media memes have skyrocketed in the past few days: some going as far to say that Netflix owes viewers a free month for wasting their time.
The fight, originally scheduled for July 20, was canceled after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up; making many doubt whether or not the fight against Paul would be feasible.
“I think it was an unfair matchup because, even though Tyson is still a skilled fighter, he’s twice Paul’s age,” freshman Ana Salavarria said.
The match was “overhyped” for months, with viewer excitement fueled by the spectacle rather than the actual abilities of the fighters. A Netflix documentary chronicling the lead up to the fight was released to garner even more traction.
“Even though I haven’t really watched boxing before, I had heard so much about it and was excited to see the two fight,” Kadia said.
Much of the pre-fight promotion emphasized Tyson’s past dominance, while overlooking his age and physical decline.
“I felt bad for Tyson because he’s not at his peak and he was dealing with a leg injury coming into the match,” Kadia said.
As the match began, Tyson’s innate agility allowed him to match Paul’s youthful energy in the first two rounds. However, as the pair reached the latter half of the match, Tyson’s age became apparent. Paul maintained a higher pace and controlled the majority of the action. Energy was lacking as Tyson struggled to find his rhythm, throwing 97 punches and landing only 18, while Paul threw 218 and landed 78.
“When the camera panned to Tyson after he lost, my heart hurt. I really wanted Mike to win. I thought he could,” junior Avery DiNardo said.
Many criticized the event as a cash grab, with Tyson making 20 million dollars from the event and Paul earning double that amount.
“To me, it seems like the match might have been scripted,” sophomore Krishna Yalamanchilli said.
While the Tyson-Paul match dominated headlines, some students believed that it overshadowed what was truly impressive that evening – the women’s fight between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor. According to Online Section Editor Bella Dodig, this match showcased true skill, determination and grit.
“The Serrano and Taylor fight kept me entertained throughout. Contrarily, I almost fell asleep during the Tyson-Paul match,” she said.
Though the matchup between Paul and Tyson revived boxing for the average viewer, it served as a reminder that real athleticism often takes a backseat to hype and entertainment. While the fight may have been unprecedented and unforgettable, it’s fighters like Serrano and Taylor who continue to redefine the sport.
