Friday’s historic boxing match between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul shattered records, becoming the most-watched sporting event globally. Beyond its unique pairing, the event left an indelible mark on the sports and entertainment industries.
Record-Breaking Viewership
The match streamed live on Netflix, drew an unprecedented 65 million simultaneous viewers and a total of 108 million global viewers, cementing its place as the most-watched sporting event in history. These staggering numbers highlight the continued crossover appeal of boxing and the growing power of digital streaming platforms.
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Preceding the main event, the Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor fight also made history as the most-watched women’s professional sporting event in U.S. history. It averaged 74 million live viewers worldwide, with 47 million tuning in from the U.S. alone.
Financial Success
The event wasn’t just a viewership triumph—it also smashed revenue records. It became the highest-grossing boxing match outside Nevada, showcasing the sport’s enduring global appeal.
Both Tyson and Paul earned 10-figure royalties for their participation, according to Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, which organized the event. Serrano and Taylor also achieved record earnings for women’s boxing, marking a major milestone for gender equity in sports.
Netflix’s Bold Move into Sports
The match was a significant test for Netflix as it ventures into live sports broadcasting. Following this success, the platform is gearing up to broadcast National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day, its first foray into the U.S.’s most popular sport.
While some viewers reported buffering issues during the boxing match, Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, expressed confidence in the company’s ability to deliver live sports content at scale.
Streaming Platforms and the Future of Sports
Netflix isn’t alone in exploring live sports. Amazon has streamed Thursday Night Football games since 2022, and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s platform, broadcast a game during last season’s NFL playoffs. As streaming platforms increasingly invest in live sports, the landscape of sports broadcasting is rapidly evolving.
A Landmark Event
The Tyson-Paul fight was more than a boxing match; it was a cultural and technological milestone. It showcased the potential for digital platforms to reshape sports viewership and proved that boxing, even in the modern era, can captivate a global audience.
With record-breaking numbers and groundbreaking achievements, this event set a new standard for sports entertainment, merging tradition with innovation.
