Home/Boxing

via Imago

via Imago

0
  Debate

Debate

Did Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson prove that hype beats substance in today's combat sports world?

This weekend saw two of the biggest combat sporting events of the years, happening back-to-back. On one hand, we had the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing card, and the night after, we got treated to UFC 309. While UFC 309 delivered on many fronts, cementing the organization’s status as the best fight promotion in the business, the Paul vs. Tyson fights left a lot of viewers bewildered, and questioning why they even tuned in, in the first place. The only respite fans got was not seeing their idol Mike Tyson get knocked out by ‘The Problem Child’. Despite what largely is considered an abysmal card, the event raked in big bucks with both Tyson and Paul making bank. On the other hand, Dana White had a good night too, with excellent fights at the MSG card, and Donald Trump’s presence at the area.

However, the UFC 309 card, despite delivering on all fronts for fight fans, came up short in ticket sales, and in audience attending the event compared to the previous night’s boxing event at AT&T Center in Arlington Texas. The former Disney star Jake Paul’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian, claims that fighting Mike Tyson turned out to be Jake Paul’s biggest success as they recorded more than $18.1 million at the gate. On the other hand, although it was close, Dana White came up short as the Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic UFC 309 headliner recorded $16.7 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Still, this isn’t a bad look for the UFC, as they managed $16.7 million at the gate even though about 20,000 fans were in attendance. On the other hand, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson had 70,000+ people in attendance sales at the gate amounting to $18.1 million. Furthermore, fans were left more satisfied with this weekend’s UFC event than the high-profile boxing event, which had brilliant marketing and the might of Netflix behind it.

After his historic return to the squared circle, Mike Tyson hinted that he may come back for another scrap. Reports claim that he was paid pretty well by Most Valuable Promotions, and he could perhaps make even more money if he takes on the older Logan Paul, which he mentioned during the post-fight interview. However, Dana White didn’t find his fight against Jake Paul interesting.

Dana White wasn’t impressed with the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

First of all, Dana White admitted that he was “wrong” when he didn’t believe Mike Tyson’s claim that Jake Paul wouldn’t be able to put his lights out. The UFC CEO was concerned about Tyson fighting someone more than thirty years younger than him, and in his prime no less. After all, fighting, like other sports, is mostly a young man’s game. “Mike Tyson was right, and I was wrong. I told him ‘Mike, you’re basically 60 years old’. He’s like, ‘You honestly think this f—ing kid’s going to do anything to me? He’s not good, He’s not going to f*cking knock me out,” White said during the UFC 309 press conference.

What’s your perspective on:

Did Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson prove that hype beats substance in today's combat sports world?

Have an interesting take?

via Imago

However, like many others on the internet, Dana White also wasn’t impressed with how the fight panned out with the younger fighter dominating most of the bout. He also sounded off on the fact that it might have been better if people didn’t push for this fight, as they wanted to see Jake Paul finally get knocked out.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“If you didn’t think that’s the way the fight [was going to play out], I don’t know what people expected. Mike’s almost 60 years old. He’s Mike Tyson, but he’s 60 years old. He knew that Jake Paul couldn’t do anything to him, so you knew what you were going to get when you saw that fight. But you can’t get mad,” Dana White added.

Jake Paul may have drawn some criticism for his choice of opponent, but he’s really outdone himself with the ticket sales, especially against a well-oiled promotion like the UFC. What do you think of Dana White’s comments of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout? Do you agree with him? Let us know in the comments below.

Have something to say?

Let the world know your perspective.