Many fight fans were left underwhelmed by Friday night’s main event starring Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
The majority of the crowd in Arlington, Texas arrived hoping to see 58-year-old boxing icon Tyson – who was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 – put YouTuber Paul in his place. Tyson was also cheered on by millions of viewers via Netflix.
However, 27-year-old Paul bossed the contest against his much older opponent and later admitted that he had decided against trying to knock him out.
Paul won the fight via unanimous decision after it went the full distance of eight two-minute rounds.
But many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to complain that the fight was ‘boring’.
Some fans even claimed that the only reason they continued watching was to see more of ring girl Sydney Thomas.
Jake Paul (right) beat Mike Tyson (left) by unanimous decision in Arlington on Friday night
But some fans hailed ring girl Sydney Thomas as the real star of the show at AT&T Stadium
Thomas pictured posing for a photo while pretending to box fellow ring girl Delia Sylvain (left)
Twenty-year-old model and social media star Thomas was one of five ring girls working at Friday’s event at AT&T Stadium – along with Virginia Sanhouse, Lexi Williams, Delia Sylvain and Raphaela Milagres.
Thomas went viral during and after the fight, with one fan on social media hailing her as the ‘real winner’.
Another fan added: ‘Honestly, the real champ here. She brought more action to the ring than the actual fight.’
A third fan commented: ‘Watching her was way more entertaining than the fight itself’.
Paul was supported ringside by his girlfriend Jutta Leerdam.
Leerdam – a Dutch Olympic speed skater – showed up wearing a white dress with a high slit and the top-half adorned with silver sequins.
Meanwhile, Paul looked incredibly focused as he entered the arena in a light blue suit, though he was devoid of any shirt.
There was not much commotion for the influencer-turned-boxer, a smattering of boos and cheers vibrated around the arena.
Twenty-year-old Thomas was one of five ring girls working at Friday’s boxing event in Texas
One fan on social media said that Thomas was the ‘real winner in the Tyson vs Jake Paul fight’
Paul pictured arriving at AT&T Stadium with girlfriend Jutta Leerdam before Friday’s fight
Model and social media star Thomas pictured in an angel costume at another event this year
It was very different for his opponent, who received a raucous ovation as he stepped into the arena wearing a leather coat with some very eye-catching artwork.
But some fans were booing at the end of the night, having been underwhelmed by a fight that failed to live up to its hype.
While being interviewed in the ring after the fight, when asked who he could take on next, Tyson said: ‘I don’t know, maybe his brother…’
Tyson was referring to Jake’s 29-year-old sibling Logan Paul.
But Logan has since responded by saying: ‘I think he wants money, I don’t think he wants to fight me.’
He later told Mail Sport: ‘I f***ing love Uncle Mike he’s just so… I mean, that was impressive, no? For a 58-year-old?
‘He’s tough, proud of him, weathered the storm against a young brute named Jake Paul. I think Jake let him live.’
