On Friday, November 15, 2024, the legendary Mike Tyson made his return to the ring at the age of 58 to face the popular YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul. The event streamed on Netflix took place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and was one of the most anticipated boxing shows of the year.
The fight, which lasted for eight intense rounds, culminated in Jake Paul’s victory by unanimous decision.
Despite the controversy surrounding the fight, it was a resounding commercial success. The event broke records both in ticket sales and streaming views.
Netflix, one of the platforms that broadcasted the fight, revealed that 60 million households worldwide tuned in live to watch the showdown between Tyson and Paul.
However, the viewership peaked at an impressive 65 million at one point during the event. This milestone solidified the fight as one of the most-watched of the year.
The event was not only a success in terms of audience numbers but also dominated social media.
The hashtag #PaulTyson became the number one trending topic globally on X, while the hashtag #Serrano ranked second in countries such as the U.S., Brazil, Spain, and Canada.
Social media conversations reflected the magnitude of the fight, which made headlines across the globe.
AT&T Stadium was packed with 72,300 attendees, setting a new record for a boxing event outside of Las Vegas in the United States.
The gate revenue for the Paul vs. Tyson main event exceeded 18 million dollars, an impressive feat that broke the record set by Canelo Álvarez’s fight against Billy Joe Saunders in 2021, which had reached 9 million dollars.
This highlights the drawing power of figures like Jake Paul, whose popularity has extended beyond the world of boxing.
Furthermore, Joe Hand Promotions, a leading company in live sports distribution, made history by broadcasting the event to over 6,000 bars and restaurants across the U.S.
This distribution record marked a turning point for combat sports events in the more than 50-year history of the company.
The success of this event goes beyond ticket sales and viewership. Netflix, in partnership with Most Valuable Promotions, managed to transform the AT&T Stadium into the epicenter of boxing, bringing the event into millions of homes worldwide.
The massive audience was not only a reflection of the participants’ popularity but also of the growing interest in boxing shows streamed on platforms.
Meanwhile, the co-main event between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor also made a huge impact.
Nearly 50 million households worldwide tuned in to this fight, which has a strong chance of becoming the most-watched female sports event in U.S. history.
The massive interest in both fights reinforces the trend that high-profile bouts, even without the best boxers in the world, can generate enormous revenue and viewership.
Following his victory over Tyson, Jake Paul expressed his desire to face big names in professional boxing.
In his statements, Paul mentioned Mexican champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez as a potential future opponent. However, he has yet to confirm what his next step in his boxing career will be.
Jake Paul’s future in boxing looks promising, with opportunities to face some of the biggest names in the sport.
Despite criticism over his lack of experience compared to professional boxers, his ability to draw massive audiences and his commercial success have made him a significant figure in the sport.
The historic night, streamed on Netflix, also brought many celebrities to the AT&T Stadium, including Evander Holyfield, Shaquille O’Neal, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Charlize Theron, among others.
60 million households around the world tuned in live to watch Paul vs. Tyson!
The boxing mega-event dominated social media, shattered records, and even had our buffering systems on the ropes. pic.twitter.com/kA8LjfAJSk
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
Nearly 50 million households globally tuned in live for the co-main event of Serrano vs. Taylor — the bout is likely to be the most watched professional women’s sporting event in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/t4jEHQrTGa
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
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