Sydney Thomas, a University of Alabama student who worked as a ring girl during the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight, is adjusting to her newfound celebrity.
After Thomas, 20, stole the show during Paul and Tyson’s highly anticipated match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, which Paul won after eight rounds, the popular ring girl said she has received “overwhelming” support from new fans on social media.
Thomas wrote on her Instagram Stories, “I woke up to an overwhelming amount of love and support from everyone.” “I can’t thank you enough or express how grateful I am,” according to the New York Post.
“I love you all—thank you for your kind words,” she told her new followers.
As of November 19, the University of Alabama student had over 627,000 Instagram followers and another 930,000 on TikTok.
The morning after the Netflix-streamed match, Thomas posted a TikTok with the caption, “I’m happy you guys enjoyed the broadcast!”
On November 16, the ring girl posted a TikTok video of herself waking up in bed with the words, “Waking up to see I’m trending for the Tyson v Paul fight,” written above it. In a voiceover, Thomas exclaims, “Oh my God,” in response to the exciting news.
Fans swarmed Thomas’ social media accounts with compliments and words of encouragement after the fight. One user told Thomas she was “the best part” of the fight, while another said, “SYDNEY THOMAS WAS THE MAIN EVENT.”
Thomas reflected on what the opportunity to get in the ring with Paul and Tyson meant to her in a post on Instagram after the fight.
“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,” Thomas began.
“Words can’t describe this moment or how grateful I am to be part of such an amazing team at @MostValuablePromotions. History was made, and I’m truly honored to have been a part of it.”
In an Instagram Q&A on Nov. 17, Thomas revealed that she was discovered on social media, and that the Tyson-Paul fight was her second time in the ring, having debuted in October for Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions in Puerto Rico.
