Mike Tyson's highly-anticipated but controversial return to the boxing ring ended in a decisive defeat on Friday, as Jake Paul claimed a dominant unanimous decision victory in Texas.

The 58-year-old Tyson - a former heavyweight legend who retired from the sport nearly 20 years ago - struggled throughout the eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, landing few punches while Paul controlled the fight.

The judges scored it overwhelmingly in Paul's favour: 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.

Paul, 27, was able to outclass the aging icon through his superior speed and agility, putting Tyson in trouble with a flurry of punches in the third round. Despite his dominance, however, Paul was unable to deliver the knockout he had promised during their heated weigh-in.

Tyson, visibly showing his age, landed only a handful of significant punches. Post-fight statistics revealed he connected on just 18 of 97 attempts, compared to Paul's 78 of 278.

As the final seconds of the eighth round ticked away, Paul paused to bow in respect to Tyson, sealing his victory with a touch of showmanship before the bell rang.

Paul is expected to earn a guaranteed $40 million from the fight, which could potentially increase based on bonuses or other revenue streams. Tyson, meanwhile, will walk away with a guaranteed $20 million, though these figures do not include potential sponsorships or merchandise revenue, which could further increase their total earnings.