Where I Went Wrong: Lessons from the Tyson Fight

This week, I’ve spent time thinking about my misjudgment on the Tyson fight. Looking back, I can identify several reasons why my expectations didn’t align with reality.

1. Fandom Clouded My Judgement

As a fan of Mike Tyson, I let nostalgia and sentimentality influence my perspective on this one some. “Win one for the old guys” and rooting for the older fighter probably happened and finding that bias. My emotional investment likely skewed some objectivity.

2. Underestimating Jake Paul

Jake Paul and his brother Logan’s athletic backgrounds should have been given more respect. Logan received an Ohio State wrestling scholarship, showcasing legitimate physical talent in the family. Jake’s dedication to boxing training, including two wins over top-50 cruiserweights with records of 17-2 and 10-1, deserved more respect than I initially granted or that most have.

3. Misjudging the Peekaboo Style

The peekaboo style Tyson mastered as a teen requires youth, speed, and the ability to close the distance quickly. This same style helped him dominate early in his career and become the youngest champ ever by 20 years old, but also he had already slipped by his mid 20’s from what he was. In retrospect, it was clear Tyson wouldn’t have the speed to close the distance effectively against a younger, quicker opponent. The fighting style is built for a 5-10 fighter like Tyson, but not a 35+ one it seems.

4. The Bigger Ring Was a Game-Changer

I didn’t know the ring would be larger, making it nearly impossible for Tyson to corner Jake. Tyson looked great in training, but that was with his trainer standing in front of him—not evading him. The ring allowed Paul to move freely out of the way and Tyson didn’t have the speed to cut him off.

5. Faulty Comparison to Larry Holmes

I initially compared Tyson’s attempt to Larry Holmes’ late-career fight with Butterbean. While I think it was relevant comparison in two aging all time greats vs lesser boxers. What I overlooked was Holmes, had a 10-inch reach advantage and was significantly taller than his opponent. His style and reach allowed him to stay on the outside and dominate with his jab and keep distance and stay protected. He’s style and attributes were much more suited for a fight in his 50’s. Even Lennox Lewis at 59 years old today would have likely faired better with his reach. Tyson, at 5’10″, didn’t have this luxury and needed speed to get inside, which proved far more challenging for a 58 year old. I completely underestimated that stylistically.

6. Overlooking Tyson’s Health Issues

Tyson’s recent health scare was more serious than I realized. After the fight, he revealed he had undergone eight blood transfusions. While I assumed he wouldn’t fight if he weren’t healthy, this level of illness likely impacted his performance on some level.

Key Lessons and Takeaways

In hindsight, two major factors stood out:

• Respect for Jake Paul: His ability to handle added weight and fight effectively was impressive and deserved more recognition jumping up 40lbs in 14 months from fights isn’t talked about enough.
• Tyson’s Limitations: Being shorter and having less reach made Tyson’s task nearly impossible. The peekaboo style, heavily reliant on speed, further hindered his chances at 58.

While I still believe an all-time great in their 50s can compete with fighters of Paul’s level in theory, it’s clear they need significant size and reach advantages—traits fighters like Larry Holmes or George Foreman possessed. Tyson, unfortunately, did not.

Jake Paul Stands Tall as Father Time Catches Up with Tyson

It was inspiring to witness an aging Mike Tyson lace up his gloves once more—managing to win a round or two against a much younger fighter—the fight was also a humbling reminder of time’s inevitability. Even legends cannot escape its grasp. Father Time is, indeed, undefeated.

Tyson’s Performance: A Bittersweet Reflection of Time’s Toll

Some including myself, expected Tyson to control the fight early on, perhaps even score a knockout in the first couple of rounds. After all, Tyson’s recent exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. four years ago had shown he could still move. However, this fight revealed a different story for Tyson. His movements appeared slow and imbalanced, and by the third round, he was visibly gassed. Watching Tyson struggle with balance was reminiscent of Evander Holyfield’s recent attempt to step back into the ring and I didn’t expect that but perhaps I should have.

Reading a study a few months ago, most people experience two aging burst around 44 and 60 years old. It appears Tyson’s is much more degraded than he was vs Roy Jones. The difference between Tyson in his fight against Jones versus this one was stark, illustrating just how much four years can accelerate the effects of aging. Tyson’s performance was a sobering look at the inevitabilities of time, but it was also impressive that he could still go the distance and show flashes of the power he’s known for. He took some punches and has an under rated chin that still was there.

Jake Paul’s Growth and the Respect Earned

Jake Paul proved himself a bit more capable than expected. I didn’t think there was a lot to gain for Paul going into the fight, but I feel differently after the fight. Moving up weight classes to face Tyson, after fighting at just 185 lbs just 14 months ago isn’t talked about enough. It’s really impressive and dangerous even vs this version of Tyson. Paul not only took several hard shots from Tyson, but he also held his own. Paul’s record, including knockouts of two top-50 cruiserweights, reinforces his growing status as a credible fighter, and after seeing him stand his ground against Tyson, he should earn a level of respect.

A Good Night for Boxing

While some might view the fight as disappointing or even sad, I see it differently. In the end, it was a good night for boxing—a testament to Mike Tyson’s enduring fighting spirit and a reminder of the value of challenging oneself at any age. I can respect his reasons for stepping into the ring and I hope he got his answers.

This fight was a nostalgic reminder of Tyson’s legacy. I think Tyson walked away with his pride, Paul gained respect from me at least, and boxing fans got a memorable bout without any injuries. In the end, that should be a victory for everyone. No one should have expect a world class fight, that’s not what this is. It felt more similar to the spectacle of early UFC. Culturally when my sister and 16-year-old niece who know nothing about boxing tuned in, it certainly brought a different element to the experience. It became a shared moment that transcended generations and all kinds of people.