11/15/2024
When the circus comes to town, we will all watch under the big tent.
Tonight, one of the most audacious spectacles in boxing history takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mike Tyson, the legendary heavyweight champion, steps back into the ring (for real) for the first time since 2005 to face Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer. The match, broadcast globally on Netflix, has polarized the boxing world. Hardcore fans decry it as a farce, while casual viewers and the broader public eagerly anticipate the collision of two wildly different eras and personas.
As circus-like as Tyson vs. Paul may seem, it’s not without precedent. Boxing has long been a stage for the bizarre, the outrageous, and the unexpected. From WWE spectacles to cross-sport showdowns, the allure of the unorthodox has always been a part of boxing’s DNA.
The circus-like allure of boxing has always been a double-edged sword. Purists scoff, yet these bouts bring in new fans, create unforgettable moments, and remind us that boxing is as much about entertainment as it is about skill.
As Tyson faces Paul tonight, we’ll see whether this fight adds to the list of unforgettable spectacles—or fades into obscurity. One thing is certain: the world will be watching.
Until then, Brunch Boxing looks back at the top five “boxing circus matches” of all time.
5. Eric “Butterbean” Esch vs. Bart Gunn
Event: WrestleMania XV
Date: March 28, 1999
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This oddity began as a WWE initiative called “Brawl for All,” a legitimate tough-man tournament dreamed up by wrestling writer Vince Russo. Wrestlers, untrained in boxing, competed in real fights with convoluted scoring systems that rewarded punches, takedowns, and knockdowns. The tournament’s intent was to crown a “real tough guy” and build a storyline for Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, but the unscripted nature led to chaos.
Bart Gunn, an underdog, shocked everyone by knocking out Williams and winning the tournament, earning a $75,000 prize—and the ire of WWE management. As punishment, Gunn was thrown into a legitimate boxing match against Eric “Butterbean” Esch at WrestleMania XV.
The result? A 34-second annihilation. Butterbean crushed Gunn with a devastating overhand right, cementing the fight as one of boxing’s most surreal moments. To add insult to injury, the San Diego Chicken mocked referee Vinny Pazienza in a post-fight skit. Gunn’s brief moment of glory ended with his release from WWE.
Photo Credit: World Wrestling Entertainment
4. Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou
Event: Battle of the Baddest
Date: October 28, 2023
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, always dreamed of testing himself in a boxing ring. After leaving the UFC in early 2023, that dream became reality when he faced Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, in Saudi Arabia.
A Turki Alalshikh production, the fight exceeded expectations. Ngannou knocked Fury down with a shocking left hook in the third round, turning the bout into a competitive contest. Fury survived the scare and eked out a controversial split-decision victory. Critics debated the legitimacy of the decision, but the fight solidified Ngannou as a capable crossover star and reminded fans that anything can happen in the boxing ring.
Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions
3. Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul
Event: Bragging Rights
Date: June 6, 2021
Location: Miami, Florida
In one of boxing’s most infamous exhibition matches, Floyd Mayweather, the undefeated legend, squared off against Logan Paul, a YouTube star with a single professional fight on his record.
The lead-up to the fight was pure chaos. At a press conference, Logan’s brother Jake Paul stole Mayweather’s hat, sparking a brawl, a pummeling and creating the viral “Gotcha Hat” meme.
Inside the ring, the fight itself was less explosive. Paul used his size and strength to clinch Mayweather and survive the full eight rounds, while Mayweather showcased his technical superiority. The fight ended without a winner, though Mayweather admitted he could have finished Paul if he’d wanted to.
Photo Credit: Showtime Sports
2. Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
Event: Lockdown Knockdown
Date: November 28, 2020
Location: Los Angeles, California
It started with two short videos of him training on Instagram. At the end of the video, Mike Tyson declared "I'm back." After two months of failed negotiations between Tyson and former rival Evander Holyfield, it was announced that Roy Jones Jr. had signed a contract to face Tyson.
After 15 years away from the ring, Mike Tyson made his return in an exhibition against his fellow boxing legend. The bout, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, captured the imagination of fans longing for a nostalgic glimpse of greatness.
The fight featured eight two-minute rounds, with larger gloves and strict rules to ensure safety. Despite Tyson’s dominance—outlanding Jones by a wide margin—the bout ended in a split draw. Though lacking the ferocity of their primes, the fight showcased flashes of brilliance from both legends.
Photo Credit: Triller
1. Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor
Event: The Money Fight
Date: August 26, 2017
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
No boxing circus match has generated more global attention than Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor. The undefeated boxing champion versus the UFC superstar was a clash of two worlds that seemed destined to collide.
The buildup was a global phenomenon, featuring a raucous four-city press tour where both fighters exchanged verbal jabs and insults. The fight itself played out as expected, with McGregor starting strong before Mayweather methodically dismantled him.
Mayweather secured a 10th-round TKO, extending his record to 50-0. Despite the predictable outcome, the fight’s sheer spectacle and crossover appeal made it the pinnacle of boxing’s circus matches.
Photo Credit: Showtime Sports
Honorable Mentions: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa, Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley, KSI vs. Logan Paul, Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort
Bonus Bouts:
George Foreman vs. Alonzo Johnson, Jerry Judge, Terry Daniels, Charlie Polite and Boone Kirkman
Event: Foreman vs. Five
Date: April 26, 1975
Location: Toronto, Canada
To rehabilitate his image after losing to Muhammad Ali, George Foreman fought five opponents in one night. While Foreman dominated the event, the antagonistic crowd and Ali’s ringside taunts turned the spectacle into an embarrassing display of hubris.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Devin Haney vs. Ryan García
Event: This One Counts
Date: April 20, 2024
Location: Brooklyn, New York
This is a bout that shouldn’t have been considered for the list because it was meant to be a championship bout between two young, in their prime prizefighters. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding the entire event turned this bout into the biggest boxing circus of 2024.
What began as a championship clash between two young stars devolved into chaos. García’s erratic behavior, a missed weight cut, and a subsequent doping scandal overshadowed his upset victory over Haney, turning a potential classic into a circus.
Photo Credit: Cristian Esquivel/Golden Boy Promotions
While Tyson versus Paul may seem outlandish, boxing history is rich with crossover events and unconventional matchups that veered into the territory of spectacle. From improbable exhibitions to bizarre promotional stunts, these “circus matches” often entertained, shocked, and even outraged fans. As Tyson and Paul prepare to make history tonight, their fight serves as a reminder of boxing’s ability to transcend its boundaries, blending sport, entertainment, and spectacle, offering a glimpse into the sport’s colorful and chaotic history.
Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.
Brunch Boxing Support Links:
Comments