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Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: The Most-Watched Sporting Event In History

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.  

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.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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