Sylvester Stallone, the iconic actor famous for his portrayal of underdog boxer Rocky Balboa, seems to think that Mike Tyson held back during his bout with Jake Paul—possibly to secure a payday. In an Instagram post, Stallone shared his thoughts on the fight, hinting that Tyson’s actions were more about business than about winning.
“Just to set my personal record straight. Business is business. SOMETIMES you have to do hard things and sacrifice for the sake of helping your FAMILY,” Stallone wrote, referring to Tyson. The comment seemed to imply that Tyson may have deliberately taken it easy on Paul, favoring the financial benefits over giving his all in the ring.
During the fight, Tyson looked like a mere shadow of his former self. Gone were the signature moves that had made him a boxing legend. He didn’t throw his iconic hook to the body followed by an uppercut to the chin—a combination that used to leave his opponents reeling in his prime.
Instead, Tyson appeared hesitant, throwing feints rather than fully committing to his powerful right hooks. In one clip that went viral on social media, Tyson is seen pulling back what could have been a devastating shot, while Paul visibly flinched.
Stallone took to social media to comment on Tyson’s performance, even calling it one of the “great Oscar-winning performances of all time.” “I have known this unbelievable athlete since he was 19 years old and what we saw was him giving one of the great Oscar-winning performances of all time!!!! Please, Jake, be grateful, HE SPARED YOUR LIFE!” Stallone continued.
The actor, who has built his career on playing the scrappy underdog in the “Rocky” series, had nothing but praise for Tyson, emphasizing the fighter’s enduring greatness despite the circumstances. “Trust me… Keep punching Mike, there will never be a MAN like you, a GLADIATOR like you, and a SOUL like you! Keep punching, champion of champions! I remember once I bumped into him and thought I was hit by a runaway BULLDOZER!!!” Stallone added, reminiscing about Tyson’s imposing physical presence.
But Stallone wasn’t the only one who noticed Tyson’s uncharacteristic performance. Many boxing fans and analysts also questioned Jake Paul’s approach during the fight. Paul, known for his overhand right—a punch that has helped him knock out previous opponents—threw the punch just once throughout the entire match.
Given Tyson’s reputation and power, fans were left wondering if the two fighters had a mutual understanding to take it easy on one another.
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin was among those perplexed by Tyson’s performance. Irvin expressed his disbelief at the fact that Tyson never unleashed his vicious combination, saying he was convinced the two boxers had been instructed to keep things light.
Tyson’s lack of aggression and the overall tone of the fight led to widespread speculation that the bout had been less about competition and more about entertainment.
There may even be legal implications stemming from the fight. A sports lawyer interviewed by The Post mentioned that if it could be proven that either fighter knowingly compromised their performance—whether due to injury or any other reason—sports bettors might have a solid argument for a class-action lawsuit.
This revelation only added to the controversy, as many fans had placed bets on the fight, expecting a fair competition.
Adding another layer of complexity, Jake Paul, who also served as the fight’s promoter, had a significant role in determining the rules for the match. The fight featured a number of unique stipulations, including fewer and shorter rounds and heavier gloves—conditions that seemed to favor the 58-year-old Tyson.
Following the fight, Paul admitted that he was not trying to knock Tyson out, stating, “I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.” This admission further fueled speculation that the fight may have been orchestrated to ensure that both fighters walked away relatively unscathed.
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The fight, which generated significant attention from both die-hard boxing fans and casual viewers, ultimately left many disappointed.
Tyson, who had once been known for his relentless energy and explosive power, appeared exhausted by the second round and largely stopped engaging for the remainder of the fight. The lack of action led to widespread criticism, with many fans feeling that the fight fell far short of expectations.
In the end, the bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul seemed more like a show than a real fight—a spectacle designed to entertain and generate revenue rather than a genuine competition between two fighters.
Sylvester Stallone’s comments only added to the intrigue, hinting that there may have been more going on behind the scenes than what was visible in the ring.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Tyson may have spared Jake Paul from a true beating, and for that, Paul should be grateful.
