Mike Tyson looks to cement his undefeated status, while YouTuber Jake Paul proves he can be a professional boxer, in “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson.”
The “most controversial fight in boxing history” ended with a victory for Jake Paul , 27, on November 15. Eight days earlier, a three-part documentary series directed by Jackie Decker and Tim Mullen was released, exploring the training process of Paul and Tyson.
The filmmakers use parallel storytelling to show the differences between the two fighters, in terms of their motivation to compete and their goal of winning. At the beginning of the film, the crew reveals the contrasting worlds of the two: Paul is an amateur boxer who has been repeatedly criticized for his offensive “view-baiting” tactics, while Tyson is an icon with many achievements in fighting. The story opens up the hidden corners of their lives, helping the audience understand what brings them both to the ring.
The work focuses on the psychology and thinking of each boxer. While Tyson seeks absolute perfection, Paul wants to break down barriers and prejudices, opening the way for amateur boxers. On one side is the legend who wants to reaffirm his reputation, on the other side is the rookie who is on the way to making a name for himself.
Mike Tyson , 58, is known for his illustrious career, being one of the world’s greatest legends with a record of 50 wins and 6 losses, including 44 knockout victories. Before coming to boxing, Tyson grew up on the crime-ridden streets of Brooklyn (USA), which negatively affected his childhood, being seduced by friends and using illegal substances early.
In several segments, he reveals that passion has a major impact on his personality and lifestyle. Tyson’s flashbacks to his prime add emotional depth, revealing the struggles of a former ringmaster struggling with age.
Compared to his opponents, Jake Paul started his career six years ago against Deji Olatunji, then made his professional debut in 2020. In 10 professional fights, against the likes of Ryan Bourland, Andre August and Nate Diaz, he won nine and lost only once to Tommy Fury.
By recreating Paul’s path from YouTuber to boxer, the director delves into the influence of social media on traditional sports. In the film, Paul stands out with his confident demeanor, despite criticism from the online community. He sees boxing not only as a career path but also as a platform to expand his personal brand.
Having been criticized by many audiences, Paul craved recognition when he changed his career direction. When he learned that Mike Tyson had a health problem and could not compete in July, instead of taking time to recuperate, Paul continuously trained to compete at the end of the year. Besides the youthfulness of a boxer under 30 years old, Paul is sensitive to the media, using his reputation to prove that he deserves to be known as a professional boxer.
According to Times of India , Countdown is well-crafted visually, depicting the rigors of the training process. The cinematographer uses multiple camera angles to emphasize the tension, conveying the martial spirit of the two characters. Tyson seeks tranquility and concentration in each training session, but for Paul, he sees it as an activity to interact with fans, transmitting fresh energy.
The film also covers the build-up to one of the most anticipated women’s boxing matches in history – the rematch between lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, which became the most-watched professional women’s sporting event in the United States.
However, the film has some drawbacks. The Feast of Legends website commented that the project does not delve into the technical aspects, strategic analysis and techniques, but focuses on the behind-the-scenes and personal stories between the two fighters. Some segments about Paul’s social media reputation are exaggerated, making the film a promotional tool. In addition, the pacing of the three episodes is uneven, only promoting the match instead of showing the challenges and pressures during the training period.
