All Blacks fall to France while millions tune into historic boxing return
Taloha ni! It’s been another busy weekend in sports, including two blockbuster fights that drew millions of eyes to the screen. Let’s get into it!
1. ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson returns to the ring
Sixty million viewers tuned in to watch ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson enter the ring in his first sanctioned bout in 19 years.
At 58, Tyson went the full eight rounds against 27 year old influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Paul won by a unanimous decision.
I’ve never watched a Mike Tyson fight live, but judging by the cold stare he had en route to the ring, he must have been 10 times as intimidating in his prime! But the fight played out as we all thought it would be, the old bull facing the young stallion.
Tyson looked good in the opening round, showing his infamous footwork and head movement against the younger fighter.
The veteran fighter closed the distance a few times, hitting Paul with good shots. But as the fight went on, Tyson became stagnant and less active, being outlanded by Pauls 78 to Tysons 18.
The fight closed out without much activity from each fighter, and in the last seconds of the bout, Jake Paul bowed to Tyson in a moment of respect. With a staggering $40 million dollars split between the two, it was a night to remember.
A huge congratulations to the great Mike Tyson for stepping into the ring!
2. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones beats Stipe Miocic
Sticking with combat sports here, and arguably the greatest fighter of all time Jon Jones returned to the octagon to face the GOAT heavyweight Stipe ‘Stone Cold’ Miocic at the MSG in New York. Jones won by TKO in the fourth round.
Both fighters have come off layoffs, Miocic’s last fight was in 2021 and Jones’ in 2023. Jones looked the more polished of the two, using his long reach to confront Miocic, the bigger fighter, with low kicks and jabs.
A takedown by Jones in the first round opened up for powerful ground and pound strikes to the former champion. Jones continued to succeed in the stand-up exchanges, using body strikes to keep Miocic at bay.
A final spinning back kick to the ribs dropped Miocic in the fourth round, with Jones finishing the fight with a TKO.
Jones, now 38, is looking to close out his career with a fight with light-heavyweight Alex Pereira or interim-heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall. Two blockbuster bouts!
3. The OG Bloodline search for 5th member
The ‘OG’ Bloodline vs the New Bloodline saga continues! After going down to the Solo Sikoa-led Bloodline at Crown Jewel, Roman Reigns and the ‘OG’ Bloodline continue to battle every week.
In the latest addition of WWE Smackdown, both groups went toe-to-toe in the ring, before the new Bloodline would adopt the help from Bronson Reed. Outnumbered, the OG Bloodline was forced to retreat.
In a backstage segment, the OG Bloodline were seen planning out who could be their fifth member to help battle reinforcements in the New Bloodline, ahead of WWE’s War Games.
Reigns, in an act of desperation, was seen trying to call the ‘Wiseman’ Paul Heyman, who had been terrorized by the new Bloodline during Reigns’ absence. But the call failed to go through, leaving fans questioning if the ‘Wiseman’ Paul Heyman is still on Reigns’ side.
Who will be the fifth member of the OG Bloodline?
4. All Blacks beaten by Les Bleus
A few opportunities were missed for the All Blacks who succumbed to the intensity of the French, going down 29-30 in a nail-biting test match.
The All Blacks looked strong in the first half, were physical at the break-down and were converting most of their scoring opportunities. Battling back at the high-paced intensity of the French, New Zealand looked poised.
But the AB’s discipline and defence became their detriment in the second half, conceding 10 points from France to give the home side the lead. The All Blacks struggled to cross the try-line in the second forty with several errors stumbling the side.
Ultimately, France put on a clinical performance to keep the All Blacks out and streak to their third straight win against New Zealand.
Congratulations to Les Bleus and the All Blacks for a magnificent test match!
5. Fiji come back to beat Spain
It took 10 minutes for the Flying Fijians to level the score against Spain, who held a 19-7 lead into the second half. Fiji’s strong second-half performance clinched a 33-19 win in Spain.
The hosts dominated early, with Gonzalo Lopez's precise kicking building a commanding lead, but Fiji unleashed an unstoppable surge in the final quarter.
Fijians electrified the crowd with four quick tries from Maqala, Matavesi, Nayacalevu, and debutant Turagacoke to stretch the lead.
With momentum now on their side, Fiji sets their sights on next Sunday's clash against Ireland in their last Northern Series test at Aviva Stadium.
Watch the full sports wrap on 531PI Pacific Mornings:
Matty’s Golden Point
Matty’s Golden Point is a piece of advice shared on 531PI’s Pacific Grandstand Show.
“It’s ambitious, but I’m a victim of ambition”
Jake ‘the Problem Child’ Paul
