Who did Mike Tyson lose to his in career and what was his record? Boxing legend beaten by Jake Paul in controversial fight
Jake Paul joined an exclusive group of boxers by beating Mike Tyson in their controversial fight in Texas. Tyson is one of the sport’s most iconic superstars but at 58 years old he was beaten by YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul. Tyson lost to Paul in a fight dubbed by fans as ‘a sad watch’GEtty The crossover bout was counted as professional, meaning the result has impacted both fighters’ records. And that meant that Tyson has now a rare defeat to his tally… Here is the legend’s all-time record and a look at the boxers who have come out on top against the icon in the ring… Mike Tyson record Tyson now boasts a professional record of 50-7. His career began in 1985 and seemingly ended in 2005, before his return to the ring against Paul. ‘Iron Mike’ won every one of his first 37 fights before tasting his first loss five years into his career in 1990. Following that defeat, he picked up another 13 victories. Throughout his career, Tyson was an undisputed heavyweight champion and set multiple records in boxing. He holds the title of the youngest-ever boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight belts. And on top of that, he was the first person in history to hold all of those titles at the same time. Tyson boasts an incredible boxing record, making him one of the greatest everGetty Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday *If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue. There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now: Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans. One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale. Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month. Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale. DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma. Who did Mike Tyson lose to? Tyson has now lost seven times in his professional career. But the seventh defeat will always be viewed as controversial. He was beaten by social media sensation Paul, who was 30 years his junior, looking like a shadow of his younger self in the ring. ‘Iron Mike’ lost on all of the judges’ scorecards and his return to professional boxing after 19 years away didn’t end well. Tyson’s first defeat came in 1990 as his 37-0 run was ended by Buster Douglas in the most shocking upset in boxing history. Douglas won by KO, knocking Tyson down in the tenth round before he was counted out by the referee. ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ lost his heavyweight title and tasted defeat for the first time. However, since that loss, he has claimed that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to defend his belt. Douglas dethroned Tyson in boxing’s biggest-ever upsetRex Features Boxers who beat Mike Tyson Buster Douglas – February, 1990 Evander Holyfield – November 1996 Evander Holyfield – June, 1997 Lennox Lewis – June, 2002 Danny Williams – July, 2004 Kevin McBride – June, 2005 Jake Paul – November, 2024 After that first defeat, it was another six years until another boxer got the better of him in the ring. Evander Holyfield beat Tyson at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1996 before beating him again a year later. Their infamous rematch included the iconic ear biting, with ‘Iron’ letting his anger get the better of him in one of the most memorable boxing moments. He tasted defeat (and Holyfield’s ear) in Las Vegas again, being beaten in back-to-back bouts for the first time ever. That took Tyson to three career losses and in 2002, his time as an elite heavyweight boxer came to an end. Lennox Lewis became the third fighter to overcome the legend, knocking him down to win their heavyweight title fight. Tyson then began the final stages of his professional career, with three more fights following the Lewis loss. A win over Clifford Etienne preceded two defeats to end his time in the ring against Danny Williams and Kevin McBride. It marked a poor end to things for Tyson before he began taking part in some exhibition bouts after 2005. He then came out of retirement to take on Paul in Arlington, Texas. But a loss meant Paul became only the sixth person ever to beat the icon.
Jake Paul joined an exclusive group of boxers by beating Mike Tyson in their controversial fight in Texas.
Tyson is one of the sport’s most iconic superstars but at 58 years old he was beaten by YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
The crossover bout was counted as professional, meaning the result has impacted both fighters’ records.
And that meant that Tyson has now a rare defeat to his tally…
Here is the legend’s all-time record and a look at the boxers who have come out on top against the icon in the ring…
Mike Tyson record
Tyson now boasts a professional record of 50-7.
His career began in 1985 and seemingly ended in 2005, before his return to the ring against Paul.
‘Iron Mike’ won every one of his first 37 fights before tasting his first loss five years into his career in 1990.
Following that defeat, he picked up another 13 victories.
Throughout his career, Tyson was an undisputed heavyweight champion and set multiple records in boxing.
He holds the title of the youngest-ever boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight belts.
And on top of that, he was the first person in history to hold all of those titles at the same time.
Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday
*If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue.
There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now:
- Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans.
- One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale.
- Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month.
- Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale.
DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
Who did Mike Tyson lose to?
Tyson has now lost seven times in his professional career.
But the seventh defeat will always be viewed as controversial.
He was beaten by social media sensation Paul, who was 30 years his junior, looking like a shadow of his younger self in the ring.
‘Iron Mike’ lost on all of the judges’ scorecards and his return to professional boxing after 19 years away didn’t end well.
Tyson’s first defeat came in 1990 as his 37-0 run was ended by Buster Douglas in the most shocking upset in boxing history.
Douglas won by KO, knocking Tyson down in the tenth round before he was counted out by the referee.
‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ lost his heavyweight title and tasted defeat for the first time.
However, since that loss, he has claimed that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to defend his belt.
Boxers who beat Mike Tyson
- Buster Douglas – February, 1990
- Evander Holyfield – November 1996
- Evander Holyfield – June, 1997
- Lennox Lewis – June, 2002
- Danny Williams – July, 2004
- Kevin McBride – June, 2005
- Jake Paul – November, 2024
After that first defeat, it was another six years until another boxer got the better of him in the ring.
Evander Holyfield beat Tyson at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1996 before beating him again a year later.
Their infamous rematch included the iconic ear biting, with ‘Iron’ letting his anger get the better of him in one of the most memorable boxing moments.
He tasted defeat (and Holyfield’s ear) in Las Vegas again, being beaten in back-to-back bouts for the first time ever.
That took Tyson to three career losses and in 2002, his time as an elite heavyweight boxer came to an end.
Lennox Lewis became the third fighter to overcome the legend, knocking him down to win their heavyweight title fight.
Tyson then began the final stages of his professional career, with three more fights following the Lewis loss.
A win over Clifford Etienne preceded two defeats to end his time in the ring against Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.
It marked a poor end to things for Tyson before he began taking part in some exhibition bouts after 2005.
He then came out of retirement to take on Paul in Arlington, Texas.
But a loss meant Paul became only the sixth person ever to beat the icon.
