Mike Tyson has delivered plenty of unforgettable moments over the years, but one of the funniest scenes at the 2026 ESPY Awards had nothing to do with boxing. Instead, it came from an unscripted hot mic exchange that left the audience laughing and social media buzzing after Tyson appeared to realize in real time that MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani is a man.
The unexpected moment unfolded Wednesday night during the presentation of the ESPY Award for Best Single-Game Performance. Tyson shared the stage with Jake Paul as the pair announced the winner, which went to Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani for his remarkable performance in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series.
Ohtani was unable to attend the ceremony in New York, prompting Paul to explain to the audience, “Shohei could not be here tonight. He sends his gratitude and appreciation to ESPN and everyone who voted for him.”
Tyson’s Awkward MLB Moment
As the crowd applauded, Tyson leaned toward Paul and quietly asked, “Shohei’s a guy?!” Unfortunately for the former heavyweight champion, the microphone picked up the comment, instantly turning what was meant to be a routine awards presentation into one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
Within minutes, clips of the exchange spread across social media, with viewers finding the confusion both hilarious and bewildering. One user on X wrote, “This might win best moment of the night,” while another questioned how Tyson could possibly be unfamiliar with one of baseball’s biggest international stars.
Whether Tyson was simply unfamiliar with Ohtani or had never connected the name with the player remains unclear. Either way, the candid remark quickly overshadowed the award presentation itself.
Why Ohtani Won the ESPY
MLB star Ohtani earned the honor after an extraordinary outing against the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2025 postseason. In that game, he hit three home runs while also throwing six scoreless innings, delivering one of the most memorable individual performances of the year. It was another chapter in a career filled with accomplishments that continue to redefine what a two-way player can accomplish at the major league level.
The Dodgers star was absent from this week’s MLB All-Star Game as he continues recovering from a knee injury. The ailment also forced him to miss his scheduled start before the Midsummer Classic, although the award served as another reminder of the impact he made during the previous postseason.
More Memorable Moments From the ESPYs
Tyson’s hot mic moment wasn’t the only headline to emerge from the ESPYs. Saturday Night Live comedian Marcello Hernandez hosted the show with a series of sharp jokes aimed at several high-profile figures in sports.
Among his biggest targets was golf legend Tiger Woods. After congratulating NFL quarterback Caleb Williams on appearing on the cover of the latest Madden video game, Hernandez joked, “And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto.”
After the audience laughed, Hernandez quickly added, “I love you, Tiger, I’m a big fan. It was just written so well.”
The joke referenced Woods’ March arrest following a single-vehicle crash near his Jupiter Island home. Woods pleaded not guilty after the incident. Authorities reported that he passed a breathalyzer test but declined to provide a urine sample, and police said they found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket.
Although the ESPYs celebrated the year’s greatest athletic achievements, Tyson’s unexpected question became one of the evening’s defining moments. In a room filled with championship performances and polished speeches, it was an unscripted few words that generated some of the biggest laughs and ensured the ceremony would be remembered for more than just the awards.
