Mike Tyson, despite losing his boxing match to Jake Paul, expressed in a social media post on Saturday that he had “no regrets” about stepping into the ring for what he described as his “last time.” The bout between the 58-year-old boxing legend and the 27-year-old social media star was highly anticipated, particularly due to the significant age gap between the two fighters, spanning more than three decades. Tyson, who had retired from boxing in 2005, faced off against Paul in a fight that attracted millions of viewers worldwide.
The fight went the full eight rounds, with each round lasting two minutes. Jake Paul emerged victorious by a unanimous decision, but Tyson, despite the defeat, shared his gratitude for the experience. He reflected on the challenge and expressed a sense of victory in his own way, stating that even though he lost, he still felt like he won due to the journey and the opportunity to fight one last time. The event was watched by 60 million households globally, according to Netflix.
Financially, both fighters were set to earn significant sums from the event. Jake Paul was expected to make around $40 million, while Tyson was reportedly slated to receive $20 million for the fight. The outcome of the fight did not dampen Tyson’s positive outlook on the experience, as he acknowledged the unique opportunity to challenge himself against a younger, talented fighter in front of a massive crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tyson also shared the personal challenges he had overcome in the months leading up to the fight. He revealed that in March, he had experienced a serious health scare, including an ulcer flare-up during a plane trip, and that by June, he had nearly died. Tyson underwent eight blood transfusions and lost significant weight due to his condition, but he fought hard to recover and get back into fighting shape. His determination to return to the ring and his perseverance in overcoming health setbacks contributed to his sense of accomplishment, even in the face of defeat.
Reflecting on the fight, Tyson expressed gratitude for the chance to share the experience with his children, having them witness him go toe-to-toe with a much younger opponent in such a grand setting. He described the experience as one that no man could ever take for granted, emphasizing the emotional and personal value of the moment, which for him, transcended the result of the fight itself.
