The wait is finally over. Jake Paul, the YouTube star turned boxer, went toe-to-toe with Mike Tyson, the legendary heavyweight champion. But this wasn’t just a random boxing match; this fight counted as a professional bout, marking Tyson’s return to the pro ring after nearly two decades.
Mike Tyson, known as The Baddest Man on the Planet, is a name that resonates with boxing fans worldwide. With a professional record of 50 wins (44 by knockout) and six losses, Tyson’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary.
However, at 58, returning to the ring after health struggles, including an ulcer flare-up, was no small feat.
Whereas Jake Paul, who has made a name in the boxing world with a pro record of 10-1, has silenced many critics who dismissed him as a mere social media star. This fight was his 12th professional bout and perhaps his most challenging yet; a significant milestone in his boxing career.
After losing to Jake Paul in a boxing match in Dallas, Mike Tyson gave a surprising explanation during his post-match interview. When asked why he was often seen biting his left glove, the former heavyweight champion admitted,
"I have a habit of biting my gloves."
When pressed for more details, he simply said,
"I have a biting fixation."
This brings back memories of Tyson's infamous 1997 fight against Evander Holyfield, where he was disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear during the match, the act that led to his disqualification.
The fight night
From the first round, it became clear this wasn’t Tyson’s best night. His punches were infrequent, and when they landed, they lacked the power fans were used to. Meanwhile, Jake Paul played it smart, focusing on stamina and strategy rather than trading blows with the legend.
One of the most notable aspects was how few punches Tyson threw. By the end, analysts joked they could count them on one hand. Paul, on the other hand, displayed precision and patience, capitalizing on Tyson’s hesitation.
The crowd was stunned. For Tyson fans, this was a bitter pill to swallow. The media criticized his performance, calling it a shadow of his former self.
When asked why he didn’t perform well, Tyson gave a surprising answer:
“I have a biting fixation.”
The comment drew laughter but left many wondering if it was a nod to his controversial past.
The glove-biting habit
After the fight, Tyson addressed the glove-biting in an interview with Ariel Helwani. Laughing it off, he joked that it was a nod to the Holyfield incident. He explained that fighters sometimes act instinctively, not fully realizing what they’re doing in the heat of the moment. It was a humorous take on a curious behavior that left fans chuckling.
During the post-fight interview, Mike Tyson was asked whether his glove-biting was due to a problem with his mouthpiece or the gloves. Tyson candidly replied,
"I have a habit of biting my gloves when I fight, yes."
This straightforward response clarified that the behavior wasn’t related to any technical issue but rather a personal habit he had developed over the years.
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While the habit might seem odd, Tyson's honesty and lightheartedness about it added another layer of intrigue to his already larger-than-life persona.
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