Did Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul live up to its astronomical numbers?

The fight of the year

What began as an unlikely boast has transformed into 2024’s boxing event of the year. The fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson became one of the most successful televised boxing events we have ever seen, in what could be a shock to the boxing establishment. Before the fight, reports suggested the viewing figures could break several records, let's take a look and see if it did!

$40 million up for grabs

Reports before the fight suggested the winner was set to earn $40 million (approximately €37 million or £32 million) which shows how much confidence Netflix and others involved in staging the fight had in its draw as an unforgettable showdown.

"Here to make $40 million"

"I'm here to make $40 million and knock out a legend," Paul said before the fight, per USA Today. Despite being unsuccessful in his attempts at a KO, Paul still walked away with 10s of millions of dollars.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Iron Mike vs The Problem Child

"Iron Mike," one of the greatest and most formidable boxers in history, faced off against Jake Paul—a former model, Disney star, and YouTuber who has steadily gained respect as a boxer in what became as much a showcase of Father Time's effect on the human body than a true boxing bout.

58 years old and 15 years retired

At 58 years old and 15 years into retirement, Tyson faced the 27-year-old Jake Paul, who is in peak physical condition and at the height of his boxing career. Despite Tyson being generally thought of as one of the greatest to ever grace the ring, he was clearly not the fighter he once was.

40 years since his professional debut

Adding to the intrigue, it had been over 40 years since Mike Tyson made his professional boxing debut – a milestone reached long before Jake Paul was even born.

An overwhelming record

Mike Tyson's personal record includes 44 KO victories in 58 fights, as documented by DAZN, a record that led him to be known as 'The Most Feared Man on the Planet'.

A respectable and growing record

Jake Paul now has, in contrast, has 12 fights to his name, boasting 11 wins (7 by knockout) and just one loss. Despite his undeniable potential, many still underestimate him due to his background as a YouTuber. Yet, the truth is, he has proven himself to be a skilled and formidable boxer.

Tickets through the roof

Historic event on Netflix

Per Sports Business Journal, up to 60 million households streamed the bout on Netflix, which included the fight as part of their usual streaming package, rather than selling it as a pay-per-view. If the numbers, reported by Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions, are correct, it could be the most watched boxing fight of all time.

A beneficial suspension

Curiously, the suspension of the fight last summer worked in its favor, significantly boosting anticipation and expectations for the bout.

Skyrocketing interest

The fight was originally scheduled for July 20, 2024, but a stomach ulcer prevented Mike Tyson from competing at full capacity, leading to the date being rescheduled to November 15. In the months since, both fighters went all in on promoting the event, including several public spats that only heightened the drama and anticipation.

"Anti-climactic"

The fight lasted the full eight rounds, with Paul emerging as the winner by points. Despite the huge streaming figures and expectations pre-fight, The Independent described the event as "anti-climactic"

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!