Mike Tyson shocked to learn Shohei Ohtani is a man

Legendary boxer Mike Tyson found himself at the center of an awkward moment at the ESPY Awards ceremony. While announcing the winner in the category for best single-game performance, he learned in real time that Shohei Ohtani, the baseball superstar, is a man. The incident was caught on a hot mic and quickly went viral on social media.

The moment occurred when Tyson, alongside Jake Paul and DJ Khaled, took the stage to present the award. As the host read Ohtani's gratitude message (the player was absent), Tyson, visibly puzzled, turned to Paul and asked: “Shohei's a guy?” Paul nodded, confirming the boxer's suspicion.

For many fans, Tyson's reaction was unexpected, given that Ohtani is one of the most recognizable figures in global sports. The Japanese player stars for the Los Angeles Dodgers and has twice been named MLB's Most Valuable Player. His name is constantly in the news, and his contracts have set records — in 2023, he signed a deal worth $700 million, the largest in North American sports history.

The award honored Ohtani's performance in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series, where he hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters, drawing worldwide attention. That performance went down as one of the most spectacular in playoff history.

The mishap with Tyson adds a quirky note to his public persona — the boxer has often admitted he's not a big baseball fan. Now he has a reason to learn more about Ohtani's achievements, as the Japanese star continues to amaze audiences with his versatility, excelling both as a pitcher and a hitter.

Internet users were quick to react: memes and jokes about Tyson's lack of awareness flooded social media. Ohtani himself has not commented on the situation, but his fans are confident he will take it in stride.

This incident once again shows that even the most high-profile sports events can produce unexpected and amusing moments that capture the world's attention.