Netflix put on its first boxing event, it’s content was plugged from Squid Games to Cobra Kai and Mike Tyson, 58 years of age, fought Jake Paul, 27 years of age. A battle of nostalgia versus the modern celebrity culture that has used boxing well as a promotion platform, and to show that the combat sports are trapped in an identity miasma.
Despite MMA for the past three decades being touted as the ‘fastest growing sport’ and the UFC becoming a brand synonymous with the sport itself, the big money is still in boxing. The more mature sport can still give former MMA stars a better payday inside the squared ring than they ever could have found in the cageduring their prime. And on the Paul-Tyson under-card it is safe to say that each boxer was paid better than most UFC main eventers. They also received tremendous exposure on the Netflix platform which provided the livestream as part of the subscription package.
Jake and Logan Paul have become a brand that is both embraced and despised, a symbiosis of fuck-hatred that fuels their wealth. The brothers understand this dynamic and have agitated their way to fame from Vine to YouTube and beyond, childrenwith screens in faces made them rich and famous beyond imagination. Though, the Paul’s work hard and train properly as athletes. They have perhaps more discipline than some professional sports players. Because of their origins they will forever be slurred as “YouTubers”. But tomorrow’s Mr Beast will likely be the kingmaker when the forever screen watching children grow to be adults.
As is often the case whenever one of these spectacles roll around it’s from those who never watch boxing who have the biggest opinions, decreeing with excitement, “did you see Tyson training”, “Paul looks shit.” There expertise generated in a second from an impression that a social media algorithm fed them. It’s unlikely those same people will ever actually watch a boxing match, until the next algorithm frenzy that draws them in.
Ironically those who hold such disdain for the Paul’s can’t come to the terms with the fact that if they had of gone the traditional route as prize fighters, it is less likely that they would be as wealthy or successful. That in itself is an indictment on the culture that loves and hates them. The spectacle seems more important than the sport itself. Perhaps it’s an indictment on the combat sports as well.
Mike Tyson was unable to pull of a George Foreman vs Moorer or even a Larry Holmes vs Mercer or Butterbean for that matter. But he went the distance, whether Paul showed empathy or not. Tyson prepared hard, took the risk and put it on the line and in an age of voyeurs that is a rare thing indeed. Besides the two prize fighters that attracted the crowds to the venue and Netflix, there was an underlying narrative of nostalgia. But as many have said, ‘Father Time goes undefeated.”
For many who tuned in for Paul and those too young to remember even his rise to prominence, Mike Tyson exists as a mythic relic that the old people revere. He is not someone whose era they experienced, they do not understand the impact and nature of his presence during his prime or even beyond it when there was hope for some that he might beat Lewis, or Williams and even McBride. Mike Tyson may as well be the 20th century itself, that period that won’t die or be allowed to. The 21st century is ashamed of itself, so instead it drugs itself with nostalgia, reboots and adaptions all creativity, ideology and reference points looks back to the past century with romance and habit. Mike Tyson was pulled from it and asked to lace up one more time so that we could see him try the near impossible, he did and failed. No shame there.
Many who wanted him to win do not know Tyson like their parents do. They either hated Paul or wanted something inspirational, magical. There is a mystical desire to see a man make his return and take on the odds, it’s inspirational. Though it is in the rarity of success which makes it all the more powerful. The underwhelming fight disappointed for sure, not just because Paul won but because Mike Tyson, was not Tyson of old, he was just an old Tyson. That is fine, it’s just hard to swallow. Despite his many moments of immodesty and disgusting acts, he has emerged as an emblem of the past. A past before the digital age of apathy but one from the information age of hope.
The main event was underwhelming despite having solid undercard fights. It will be remembered as a lacklustre event, that is what hype does. The spectacle is the sizzle and garnish rather than the steak itself, and in an Instagram age of eating experiences, that’s all that matters. The main take away is that Netflix can put on a sports promotion, granted it was full of filler and bloat and many did have streaming issues. Though I suspect that when many can’t watch anything that isn’t 5k this will always be a problem with so many streaming in. Or would it be streaming out? Either way, if they made money then it should put some of the other promotions on notice.
It is likely that the usual parasites that infect the host of combat sports got their cut and made money ,but it seems like the fighters did as well. A refreshing statement and if the Paul’s and their partners achieved anything it was a victory in that regard. Love him or hate him, Jake Paul will most likely retire in better physical and financial health than many fighters who worked the orthodox path. He transcended their obstacles and has been able to train better than what many of them could afford, remember many pros work day jobs. Because of his fame and established name he is able to decide the contracts and conditions, not take what he can get as many other fighters find.
The combat sports remain popular but it’s hard for fighters to keep busy and to sustain the work, regulators and bodies that insert themselves can often project a paywall between fighters and fights. The costs to run shows that promoters have to endure also ensure that fighters are not paid as well as what one might expect. And when many who claim to be fight fans seem to expect an event rather than a fight show, promotions spend money on other forms of talent and personalities to help draw in the crowds. Fighting is mostly a voyeurs sport, the disconnect between most viewers and those fighting is vast in many cases, which includes expectations of what an athlete can and should be expected to endure.
What we do know is that spectacle sells, names whether those recently gorged in fame or those ancient myths to the younger non-readers. The combat sports are and will continue to be influenced by the influencer culture. The insincere facade and acts to gain a reaction, from visiting suicide forests to creating fake scenarios for the sake of virality, the culture of make believe sold to be believed is now the culture. Fighters who are starved and hungry, will attempt to get in on anything that makes them money or gets them fights. Modesty and humility is very rarely rewarded. The mob through their screens swipe for the worse behaviour, even if it’s all just make believe. No longer do we live with a world where fighters claim that they want to make that Tyson money instead they look to make real money like a Paul brother. Any nuance or dignity that even the Paul’s may exhibit in moments of sincere humanity, as we witnessed in the closing moments of the Tyson fight are lost beneath the one million dollar trunks and make belief bluster that little boys with screens to their faces seem to adore. That is now who runs the world, at least online.
