Although many hoped for an unforgettable showdown between Paul and Tyson on Friday night, the reality was quite different.
The much-anticipated fight was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, marking a historic moment as it and its undercard bouts were streamed globally on Netflix for the first time.
For those who haven’t heard the outcome yet, the fight lasted all eight rounds with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73, leading to Jake Paul’s victory by unanimous decision.
We already know the significant earnings the 27-year-old was set to take home if he won, and recently we’ve learned about the 58-year-old Mike Tyson’s payout for losing. However, there might have been an additional motivation for ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’.
Prior to the fight, Tyson, a hall-of-famer, had an impressive professional record: 50 wins, 44 by knockout, and only six losses. In contrast, Paul had 10 wins, seven by knockout, and one loss.
Despite the 31-year age difference, the fight wasn’t classified as an exhibition, meaning Tyson added another loss to his record, making it 50 wins and seven defeats, while Paul’s record improved to 11 wins with one loss.
Jake Paul’s career faced criticism until he began fighting legitimate boxers, a fact he seemed well aware of. This fight with Tyson was part of his journey, alongside two more professional bouts after his loss to Tommy Fury, the younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Recently, a video has surfaced online showing Paul playing with stacks of money, balancing them on his stomach, while issuing a challenge to ‘Iron Mike’.
“Mikey, Mikey, if you can last more than four rounds with me, I’ll give you an extra $5 million. But, if you don’t then you have to get a tattoo that says ‘I love Jake Paul’. Deal or no deal?” Paul proposed.
Though it seemed like a tempting offer, and many would have eagerly accepted before the fight, Tyson, aware of the risks due to his age, responded cautiously.
In an interview with USA Today, Tyson remarked: “He should offer more.”
When asked about the amount he would consider, Tyson said: “Tell him probably about 20 [million dollars].”
The exact financial stakes of the fight have not been disclosed, but it’s believed the winner was set to earn tens of millions of dollars. During an August press conference, Paul stated: “I’m here to make $40 million and knock out a legend.”
It’s rumored that Tyson’s purse was $20 million, while his friend and former UFC champion, Henry Cejudo, claimed Tyson earned $20 million from the fight.
Before the fight, Celebrity Net Worth estimated Tyson’s net worth at $10 million, whereas Paul was thought to be worth $80 million.