Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight champion known for his ferocious power and larger-than-life personality, created an unexpected and bewildering moment at this week's ESPY Awards. While presenting an award for best single-game performance, Tyson appeared to be completely unaware of who Shohei Ohtani is—one of the most famous athletes on the planet. His question about the baseball superstar, captured by a hot microphone, immediately spread across social media, leaving fans doing a double take and sparking widespread discussion about the moment.
The exchange took place Wednesday night at the 2026 ESPYs, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Tyson was joined on stage by YouTube star turned professional boxer Jake Paul and music producer DJ Khaled to present the award for Best Single-Game Performance. The category recognized the most outstanding individual effort during a single game across all sports in the previous year. The winner was Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenomenon of the Los Angeles Dodgers, widely regarded as the biggest name in Major League Baseball and possibly all of sports.
Ohtani did not attend the ceremony, as he was likely preparing for the remainder of the MLB season. A brief acceptance message was read on his behalf. Moments later, as the applause died down, Tyson leaned toward Paul and asked in a voice that was clearly picked up by the live microphones: "Shohei's a guy?" Paul nodded and appeared to confirm that yes, Ohtani is indeed male. The audience continued applauding, seemingly unaware of the awkward exchange, but social media users quickly seized on the clip.
The clip, posted by the account Happy Punch, showed Tyson looking genuinely puzzled. "Shohei's a guy??" he repeated. The video racked up millions of views within hours. Many viewers expressed disbelief that a public figure of Tyson's stature, who frequently appears at major sporting events and celebrity functions, could be unaware of Ohtani's identity and gender. Ohtani has been an international superstar for years, known for his unprecedented ability to both pitch and hit at elite levels. He has been compared to Babe Ruth and is often described as a once-in-a-generation talent.
To make matters more baffling, Ohtani's image was displayed prominently on the large video screen behind the stage during the entire presentation. The screen showed Ohtani in his Dodgers uniform, with his name clearly visible beneath the photo. Yet Tyson seemed not to connect the image to the name, or perhaps he was simply not paying attention until after the award was announced. Some fans speculated that Tyson might have been joking, but his tone and body language suggested genuine confusion.
Mike Tyson, now 60 years old, has had a long and tumultuous public life. He rose to fame in the 1980s as the youngest heavyweight champion in history, known for his devastating knockouts and intimidating presence. After retiring from boxing, he became a pop culture icon, appearing in films, television shows, and even a one-man stage show. He has also been a regular presence at celebrity events, including award shows and sports competitions. In recent years, he has become a social media personality, often sharing humorous and offbeat content. However, his apparent lack of knowledge about Ohtani surprised many, given how ubiquitous the Japanese star has become in American sports.
Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 after a successful career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He immediately made history as a two-way player, excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter. He won the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2023, and after signing a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, his fame skyrocketed. He led the Dodgers to multiple postseason appearances and became the face of baseball globally. His performance in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series was the very game that won him the ESPY. In that game, he hit three home runs and, as a pitcher, struck out 10 batters, a feat that had never been accomplished in postseason history.
The ESPY Awards, presented by ESPN, celebrate individual and team athletic achievement across the sports world. The award for Best Single-Game Performance is one of the most coveted, recognizing a moment that transcends the sport and captures the public's imagination. Past winners include LeBron James, Simone Biles, Tom Brady, and Lionel Messi. For Ohtani to be added to that list is a testament to his extraordinary talent. Yet Tyson's apparent ignorance of all this left many fans shaking their heads.
Online reaction was swift and varied. Some found the moment humorous, noting that Tyson has always been a bit eccentric and out of touch with modern pop culture. Others expressed frustration, arguing that any public figure presenting at a sports awards show should at least know the name and gender of the winner. A few even speculated that Tyson might have been mixing up Ohtani with a female athlete, perhaps due to the name's ambiguity to some English speakers. The name "Shohei" is gender-neutral in Japanese, but Ohtani is well known as male. Tyson's question about his gender struck many as particularly odd.
The incident also highlighted a generational gap. Tyson rose to fame in the 1980s and early 1990s, a time before the internet and global sports superstars like Ohtani. He may not follow baseball as closely as he follows other sports, or he might simply have been distracted on stage. However, given that he was presenting an award in a category that Ohtani was heavily favored to win, one might expect a presenter to at least be briefed on the nominees. The ESPYs production team likely provides cue cards or teleprompters, but live moments sometimes slip through the cracks.
Jake Paul, standing next to Tyson, handled the moment with a quick nod. Paul is no stranger to controversy himself, having transitioned from internet pranks to a professional boxing career that includes high-profile fights. DJ Khaled, known for his energetic persona, appeared not to notice the exchange. The audience continued their applause, unaware of the awkwardness unfolding on stage.
The clip was shared widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram. Memes and jokes quickly proliferated. Some users photoshopped Ohtani's face onto Tyson's body, while others imagined what Ohtani's reaction might be. The Dodgers star has not publicly commented on the moment, but his teammates and fans have defended him, noting that it is not his fault if some people do not recognize him.
This is not the first time a celebrity has failed to recognize a famous athlete at an awards show. In 2019, actor Brie Larson was criticized for not knowing who baseball star Mike Trout was during a sketch. In 2023, singer Lizzo admitted she did not know who LeBron James was when she met him at an event. Such moments go viral, often overshadowing the actual award being given. The ESPYs have a history of off-script moments, and Tyson's question adds to that lore.
Despite the flub, the ESPYs continued without further incident. Ohtani's award was presented, and the show moved on to other categories. For many fans, the entire episode was a reminder that even legends like Mike Tyson can be out of touch with the modern sports landscape. Ohtani continues to dominate on the field, and his impact on baseball is undeniable. Whether or not Mike Tyson now knows who he is, the rest of the world certainly does.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News