Last weekend, AT&T Stadium became the epicenter of a sports spectacular (Sorry, Cowboys fans, maybe next year). Friday night wrangled a jaw-dropping crowd of 72,300 for what can only be described as a fever dream: Jake Paul, supreme influencer, versus the pugilist specialist Iron Mike Tyson, the living legend—although well past his prime.
But the real winner? Netflix’s marketing team.
Let’s talk demographics: Paul fans? Half of them thought Tyson was just “that tattooed dude from The Hangover.” Tyson fans? They see Jake Paul as the internet troll who turned boxing into a TikTok sideshow, putting a black eye on boxing. In their eyes, the only reason to watch was to see Tyson pulverize Paul into a Jordan tears meme.
This clash of generations was initially set for July 20, but a major health scare benched Tyson. We’re talking ulcer flare-up, 8 blood transfusions, losing half his blood and 25 pounds, and a very near brush with death. However, Tyson, being Tyson bullied Father Time and came back swinging, literally.
Fast forward to the weigh-in: Tyson gave Paul a taste of what everyone had been waiting for—a literal slap. Will Smith, take notes. Suddenly, the energy shifted. Vegas went wild, and fans who swore Paul had no chance started hedging their bets. Even Drake doubled down on Tyson, which, in hindsight, was a flashing neon sign that Paul was about to cash in. Cue the judges, who handed Paul the unanimous decision while half the internet cried foul.
Meanwhile, Netflix wasn’t sitting pretty in their Sunset Boulevard office, sipping lattes and watching the drama unfold. When the spike hit for Tyson—still the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’—on the socials, they leaned into it. And that difference that most companies ignore – delivered results.
The outcome? A marketing knockout. For Netflix. For boxing. For fans who just wanted a hit of old-school Tyson magic.
And there you have it: a mega fight, a marketing masterclass, and one unforgettable night.
Some of the big names sitting ring-side included Shaquille O’Neal, Sugar Ray Leonard, Amber Rose, Ralph Macchio, Josh Duhamel, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Daddy Yankee, Adam Pac Man Jones, Michael Irvin, Hasan Minhaj, Omari Hardwick, and more.
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Hailing from Chicago’s South Side, Pardé Bridgett is an award-winning ad writer, culture curator, and creative strategist.
