The highly anticipated Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Saturday may have delivered mixed emotions for fans, but it marked a life-changing moment for Sydney Thomas, the event’s standout ring girl.
The 20-year-old model and University of Alabama student turned into an overnight sensation, captivating viewers and earning widespread acclaim on social media. Following her appearance, Thomas has seen her follower count skyrocket to nearly 800,000 on TikTok and over 400,000 on Instagram.
Expressing gratitude for the flood of attention, Thomas shared a heartfelt TikTok video captioned, “waking up to see i’m trending for the tyson v paul fight.” In a separate Instagram story, she wrote, “I woke up to an overwhelming amount of love and support from all of you. I can’t thank you guys enough or begin to express how grateful I am. I love you all — thank you for your kind words.”
Thomas described her experience as a dream come true. “Getting the opportunity to step into the ring with @MikeTyson and @JakePaul for such a historic fight is something I never imagined I’d be able to say,” she wrote in another post.
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She also extended her gratitude to Most Valuable Promotions, the company behind the event, saying, “History was made, and I’m truly honored to have been a part of it.”
Thomas was one of five ring girls for the fight, joining Raphaela Milagres, Virginia Sanhouse, Delia Sylvain, and Lexi Williams, according to the New York Post.
The fight itself was monumental, marking 58-year-old Mike Tyson’s return to an officially sanctioned professional bout after 19 years. Tyson faced a younger and energetic opponent in 27-year-old Jake Paul, who emerged victorious via unanimous decision. The match was streamed live on Netflix, drawing millions of viewers globally.
While the bout’s outcome left fans divided, it proved to be a career-defining moment for Sydney Thomas, whose poised presence and charm have earned her a growing fan base and the spotlight she deserves.
