Jake Paul was taken the distance by 58-year-old Mike Tyson on the boxing legend's return to the ring.
Paul won every round of the eight-session contest on two of the judges' scorecards but never came close to knocking out Tyson despite it being the former world champion's first fight in four years and his first professional bout in almost 20.
The 70,000 fans in attendance were left furious at the lack of action with hundreds flooding out after the final bell without knowing who had won the fight. ", he's a legend," Paul said after the result was announced. "He's the greatest to ever do it. I look up to him and we wouldn't be here today without him. This man is an icon and it's an honour to fight him. It was tough like I expected it to be."
Paul and Tyson had been due to fight four months ago but the heavyweight legend suffered an inflamed ulcer on a flight, collapsing in the bathroom and coughing up blood. He was taken to hospital but was declared fit to resume training several weeks later and his return to the ring was rescheduled.
Paul's ringwalk saw him accompanied by brother Logan in a custom Chevy to the sound of Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight, the same song Tyson sang in his cameo in The Hangover. Tyson simply marched to the ring dressed all in black.
Tyson began the first round as if he knew he had to stop Paul early - and it was the younger man who was forced to hold. Tyson was cumbersome in his movement but looked to land at every opportunity - he was warned for one which crept low.
Paul went for Tyson's body at the start of the second round before moving upstairs with his right hand. Tyson landed with a glancing left hook before Paul again clung on. Tyson's best chance of winning appeared to have come and gone by the third round as he struggled to deal with an increase in pressure from Paul.
Fans who felt they would see the rebirth of Iron Mike in the ring were surely realising their folly, although Paul was hardly landing at will. He dominated the fourth round, however, as Tyson struggled to answer back.
scored the fight unofficially level at the halfway mark, but the truth was rather different as Paul pulled ahead. But Paul was clearly holding back as he limited himself to single shots, although a right hand did give Tyson food for thought before he answered back with one of his own.
Paul was perhaps struggling with the extra weight having bulked up from cruiserweight as the crowd grew restless at the lack of action in the sixth round. Paul upped the ante in the penultimate session but he still appeared reluctant to fully commit. A four-punch combination landed at the end of the round but Tyson stood up to it well.
Paul clipped Tyson twice at the start of the final round but the elder statesman returned fire. There was no late onslaught from either man as the fight went to the judges who handed Paul a pyrrhic victory by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
On the undercard, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano served up another Fight of the Year contender which the Irish star edged by a single point. Taylor had won the rivals' first meeting in New York two years ago on a split-decision but it took the rivals almost three years to agree to a rematch. When it arrived, it didn't disappoint with Taylor deducted a point before being given the nod by a score of 95-94 on each of the three judges' scorecards.
Mario Barrios recovered from a sixth-round knockdown to force a draw with Abel Ramos as he narrowly retained his welterweight world title. Barrios was in complete control from the opening bell, wobbling his challenger in the first round before dropping him in the second. But he hit the canvas himself just before the halfway point after eating successive right hands. Barrios survived to hear the bell for the end of the round before a nip-and-tuck second half of the fight led to the three judges failing to split the two men, announcing scores of 112-114, 116-110, 113-113.
The main card opened with victory for Neeraj Goyat who outpointed Brazilian social media star Whindersson Nunes over six rounds. Goyat, who has frequently called out Paul for a fight, dominated from the opening bell lacked the necessary power to stop his limited and inexperienced opponent who had been plying his trade on the influencer circuit.
Shadasia Green became champion at the second time of asking by outpointing Melinda Watpool while Lucas Bahdi was a somewhat controversial winner over Armando Casamonica. The Italian stepped in at short notice to replace the injured Corey Marksman but impressed as he took the fight to Bahdi. In the opening fight of the night, Bruce Carrington had to settle for a points win over Dana Coolwell.
You may also like
Parenting Tips: These good habits of parents make children disciplined, you should also adopt them
PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Victims of Jhansi Fire Tragedy
Caution: Pollution is not good for your mental health either, doctor warns about the deteriorating situation in Delhi
National strike causes postal service delays for millions of Canadians
Travel tips: Want to make your honeymoon memorable? Then spend quality time with your partner at these beautiful places