Streamer Netflix reported a record-breaking 65 million streams at its peak.

Despite underwhelming action in the ring, the fight has entered the top 10 most-viewed sporting events in history.

The eight-round exhibition saw Tyson, 58, face off against 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul. While Tyson showed brief flashes of brilliance, he landed only 18 punches over the course of the fight. Paul, meanwhile, focused on movement and controlled the pace.

Netflix described the event as a "record-breaking night" – though the platform faced criticism for technical issues.

Many viewers complained of buffering, freezing, and resolution problems as Netflix struggled with the unprecedented demand.

The platform’s decision to stream the fight without additional fees still paid off, making it the 10th most-watched sporting event ever.

Speaking after the bout, Paul said: “It wasn’t the fight of the century, but it was a privilege to share the ring with an icon. I wanted to give the fans a show but didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt.”

The viewing figures place the fight ahead of the 1978 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It sits just below Super Bowl LVII, where the Kansas City Chiefs staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in February.

The 2022 Qatar World Cup Final remains at the top of the rankings of most-watched sporting events. The Argentina vs France showdown, widely hailed as the greatest final in history, saw Lionel Messi cement his legacy as the GOAT with a penalty shootout victory after a 3-3 draw.