The highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was set to make history as Netflix’s first live boxing event, but the night was marred by technical difficulties and frustrations from viewers. Fans tuning in to watch the fight live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, quickly took to social media to express their displeasure with the stream’s performance.
This event was a significant moment for Netflix, especially as the streaming service prepares to host WWE’s Monday Night Raw starting January 6, 2025. But for many, the debut broadcast of Netflix’s live sports coverage didn’t go as smoothly as expected.
The boxing event, which featured four matches, was free to Netflix subscribers. However, it was plagued by a number of issues, ranging from buffering delays to miscommunications in the production. The event’s commentary team included actress Rosie Perez, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., and broadcaster Mauro Ranallo, while former boxer Andre Ward, comedian Cedric The Entertainer, and host Kate Scott handled the pre-fight desk.
Technical Difficulties and Viewer Complaints
Early in the broadcast, viewers started complaining about buffering issues during the opening fight between Neeraj Goyat and Whindersson Nunes. Fans expressed concerns about whether the stream would be able to hold up throughout the evening, with many wondering if these issues would continue to affect the quality of the fight broadcast.
The technical glitches didn’t end there. During the post-fight segment, boxing icons Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis appeared on set with Kate Scott and Andre Ward. However, technical difficulties caused Holyfield to be unable to hear Scott’s questions during the interview. This led to Lewis stepping in to relay the questions to Holyfield, creating an awkward and unprofessional moment.
Further miscommunication was visible when Scott tried to toss to a backstage shot, only for the production team to take a few seconds to switch to the correct camera feed. As the camera finally showed two fighters entering their locker rooms, Scott was heard asking the production truck, “Where are we?”—a moment that highlighted the disorganization behind the scenes.
Screen Quality and Other Production Mishaps
As the night progressed, the stream’s screen quality became another point of contention for viewers. Several fans pointed out issues with blurry or pixelated footage, further adding to the growing list of frustrations.
One particularly jarring moment occurred when Netflix accidentally cut to a close-up of Mike Tyson’s backside after an interview in his locker room, just as he was leaving to complete his pre-fight routine. This mishap, though seemingly minor, added to the sense that the production was not living up to expectations.
A Glimpse of Netflix’s Live Sports Future
Despite these issues, the event still provided a first look at what Netflix viewers might expect when the platform starts streaming other live events, including Monday Night Raw in 2025. However, the growing number of complaints has raised doubts about whether Netflix will be able to deliver a smooth and professional experience for fans when the stakes are even higher.
Fans’ frustrations continue to mount, with some questioning whether Netflix can iron out these issues before its next major live broadcast. As of now, Netflix has yet to comment on the production problems that affected the event, but this night has undoubtedly highlighted the challenges the streaming giant faces as it delves deeper into live sports broadcasting.
The event may have been a milestone for Netflix, but it also served as a harsh reminder of the complexities involved in live sports production, especially when things don’t go according to plan. Fans will no doubt be hoping for improvements before Netflix’s next big live broadcast.