“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night,” boxer says after disappointing bout
Mike Tyson said he has “no regrets” about his boxing match with Jake Paul and hinted that it was his last time in the ring in his first comments since losing the much-anticipated and much-disappointing fight.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night,” Tyson — who went the full eight rounds but lost on judges’ decision — wrote on social media Saturday. “No regrets to get in ring one last time.”
The bout between the former heavyweight champion and the prominent YouTuber had long been in the works, but health issues kept postponing the battle until Friday night, where it streamed to a reported audience of over 100 million on Netflix.
“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won,” Tyson reasoned.
While Tyson started the fight well, showing flashes of his past self, by Round 3 he looked hobbled, either through leg injury or fatigue. For the remainder of the eight-round bout, Tyson merely absorbed Paul’s punches, rarely going on the offensive himself. However, Tyson was happy with his performance.
“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for,” Tyson wrote. “Thank you.”