Boxing legend Mike Tyson presented Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani with the ESPY Award for best single game performance at the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15.
Tyson announced Ohtani as the winner for his standout contribution in the World Series. Ohtani was not present at the ceremony. Jake Paul accepted the award on his behalf and read a message of thanks from the two way player.
After the presentation, Tyson turned and asked, “Shohei’s a guy?” The question came in Tyson’s usual direct style and drew attention online. It appeared to reflect a moment of unfamiliarity with Ohtani’s identity as one of baseball’s top athletes.
Ohtani has drawn global recognition for his ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter. His World Series performance stood out among many strong individual games across sports, earning him the ESPY honor voted on by fans and experts.
The exchange between Tyson and the award category brought together two different worlds in sports. Tyson, known for his heavyweight boxing career, handed the trophy while showing limited prior knowledge of the Japanese-born Dodgers player.
The moment spread quickly across social media. Many viewed it as a lighthearted clip from the awards show, while others noted how it highlighted Ohtani’s rising profile outside traditional baseball audiences.
The ESPY Awards celebrate achievements across multiple sports. This year’s event featured athletes from various leagues and disciplines. Ohtani’s win in the single game category underscored a memorable performance that stood out to voters.