The recent boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has attracted a lot of attention from the public, not only because of the record-breaking viewership but also because of the issues surrounding the quality of the event. With more than 108 million people watching live, it is one of the most streamed matches in boxing history. However, the event has been deeply disappointing for many viewers due to the performance in the ring that is considered to lack authenticity, along with technical problems during the broadcast. Viewers watching the match quickly noticed the irregularities. Instead of a fiery boxing match as expected, the match between Tyson and Paul lacked tension and confrontation. Many criticized the match as a “staged play” serving commercial purposes rather than giving fans a top-notch match. “Light” punches and lack of competition make viewers feel cheated​

In addition to the quality of the match, thousands of viewers have filed complaints about technical problems during the live broadcast on the Netflix platform. Many said they faced lag, lost connections, and were even unable to access the match. A class action lawsuit has been initiated, accusing Netflix of failing to ensure service quality commitments and demanding compensation​

Netflix acknowledged that the event encountered unexpected technical problems and pledged to improve the user experience in the future. However, the lawsuit has raised concerns about whether the platform can ensure the quality of broadcasting for major events. Meanwhile, both Paul and Tyson have remained silent on allegations that the fight was “staged”.

The Tyson-Paul fight is a clear example of the commercialization that has engulfed boxing today. Instead of iconic high-profile fights like Ali-Frazier or Pacquiao-Marquez, fights today seem to be driven by off-ring factors, from advertising to profit. The question is: Can boxing retain its sport, or will it increasingly become a vehicle for entertainment and profit?