The highly-anticipated exhibition fight between former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul ended with the latter claiming victory through a unanimous decision. The match, however, has generated considerable debate and disappointment among fans and sports commentators, who have referred to the fight as lackluster and failing to deliver the excitement expected.
Even NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't hold back in his reaction to the fight. He explained during an episode of the "Dale Jr. Download" podcast (below):
"The high tide at the beach was more exciting. To even say 'Did you watch the Tyson fight?' You did not give a sh*t who the other guy was. When they got to fighting I was like, 'Who the hell was I to imagine that Mike Tyson could actually knock this guy out.'"
The boxing match, held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, reached an insane audience, with Netflix broadcasting the event to an estimated 60 million viewers. While Tyson may have lost in the ring, the financial outcome for him was far from disappointing, with an alleged hefty $20 million payout. However, the financial aspects did little to silence widespread criticism of the fight's overall quality.
Earnhardt Jr. continued:
"I don't know what I expected. When they got to fighting, I'm like, who the hell was I to imagine that Mike Tyson could actually knock this guy out? This is not happening.
"I live in a fantasy world where I thought, damn, Mike Tyson, I hope he can knock this Well, it could have been my best friend in there with Mike Tyson. Whoever Mike Tyson gets in the ring with, I want a knockout"
Tyson posted to social media after the defeat revealing that he had "no regrets" and that he had "lost half of my blood" in June. He explained:
"This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I'm grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.
"I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
"To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you."
This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I'm grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.
I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
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