Tyson, who last competed in a pro boxing match in 2005, losing to Kevin McBride, and in an exhibition match in 2020, in which he tied with opponent Roy Jones Jr., shared a message of personal reflection the day after the match, which took place months after he suffered a health emergency.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” he tweeted. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.”
He added, “To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”
Tyson had said in a post-match interview on the livestream that he was “happy” with his performance in the ring against Paul.
“I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself,” he said. “I’m not one of those guys that lives to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.”
The athlete, who wore a knee brace during the match, admitted to fighting through a leg injury.
“Yeah, but I can’t use that as an excuse,” he said. “If I did, I wouldn’t be in here.”