Mike Tyson, once a boxing legend, faced a significant challenge before his fight with Jake Paul. In late May, he suffered an ulcer flare-up, vomiting blood in an airplane bathroom and then a hospital. This led to a weight loss of 25 pounds in 11 days and eight blood transfusions. The fight, originally scheduled for late July, was delayed until mid-November.

The Battle of a Lifetime - Tyson vs. Paul

Mike Tyson's Physical and Personal Struggles

Tyson had retired in 2005 and endured a series of hardships since then. His last loss to Kevin McBride made him certain that he no longer had the fight in him. However, he remade his public image with a cannabis brand, podcast, and meditation practice. But his physical condition on the night of the fight was a different story. A previously unannounced lower body injury, along with the training disruption due to blood replacement, left him with no legs. His opponent, Jake Paul, who had become a competent fighter and successful promoter, had natural advantages.The bespoke two-minute rounds seemed long as Tyson struggled to engage. CompuBox recorded only 18 punches landed throughout the fight. Paul expressed respect for Tyson but also noted that his aggression faded as the rounds went on.

The Netflix Factor and the Fight's Impact

Netflix claimed that more than 60 million people were watching the glitchy live broadcast, and Paul claimed twice that number. These viewership numbers are large but should be regarded with skepticism. Netflix has a history of making outlandish claims. The fight's financial aspects are also notable. Paul is estimated to earn around $40 million, while Tyson earns $20 million, similar to his earnings in 1988. The gate of $18 million was twice that of a previous middleweight title fight.However, there is an uncanny and mostly awful quality to Netflix-produced content. The frames are either too bright or too murky, and the colors don't look right. There is a faint whiff of the algorithm and corporate strategy in the product. This is different from traditional filmed entertainment and often leaves viewers with a queasy feeling.

The Difference between the Undercard and Main Event

The undercard fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano and the main event between Tyson and Paul were the same sport but felt very different. One had a sense of sportsmanship, while the other felt like content. Boxing is a cynical business, and Paul's acumen as a fight maker is evident. But the main event lacked the essence of boxing. It looked like boxing but didn't feel convincing. There is a missing ingredient that Netflix, with all its money, hasn't been able to buy.In conclusion, the fight between Tyson and Paul was a unique event that highlighted the differences between traditional boxing and the Netflix experience. It remains to be seen if Netflix can effectively broadcast more live sports in the future.