Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Netflix announces record-setting viewers for Friday fight

Friday night was a record-setting one for Netflix, as it aired the Jake Paul–Mike Tyson boxing match and undercard events to tens of millions of households, the streaming giant announced.

For the Paul-Tyson fight, specifically, viewership peaked at 65 million concurrent streams with 60 million households watching. Additionally, 6000 bars and other venues were airing the event as part of the promotion, “setting the record” for Joe Hand Promotions, the company in charge of placing the fight in those commercial venues.

And the co-main event, a rematch fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, peaked at closer to 50 million households worldwide. It is likely the most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history, according to a release.

More viewership numbers from Netflix are expected to be released later in the week.

Paul won the fight via decision.

With the triumph, Paul boasts an 11-1 record and is on a five-fight win streak.

Tyson burst out of the starting gates, finding more significant strikes early against Paul. However, his age began to show after the first two rounds, with commentator and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. repeatedly pointing out Tyson’s lack of stability in his legs.

Paul took advantage of Tyson’s subpar agility, dancing around the ring and throwing jabs from a distance. When the two did engage, Tyson struggled to land a massive punch due to his fatigue.

Despite the heated lead-up to the fight, Paul showed respect in the closing moments of the eighth round, bowing to Tyson. The New York native returned the favor, reaching out his hand to Paul.

The heavyweight matchup had been a long time coming. It was initially scheduled for July 20 but was rescheduled after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up on a May 26 flight from Miami to Los Angeles. Tyson’s doctors forced him to limit training for several weeks to allow his ulcer to flare up.

After Paul’s win on Friday evening, Tyson will have other bumps and bruises to address. It was an eight-round bout between the two icons, with the 29-year-old Paul getting the better of 58-year-old Tyson. Netflix live-streamed the event, the first time the company has done so for a sporting event.

Paul and Tyson had no shortage of animosity built up before stepping into the ring. On Thursday, Tyson slapped Paul during their final weigh-ins and the two had to be separated. Following the heated moment, Tyson explained his actions.

“I was in my socks, and he had on shoes,” Tyson told the New York Post. “He stepped on my toe because he is a f***ing a**hole. I wanted to think it happened by accident. But now I think it may have happened on purpose. I was in a lot of pain. I had to reciprocate.”

Paul claimed his revenge on Friday evening, defeating the man who was once the most feared boxer in the world. Now, fans around the planet are left wondering who Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will take on next.