Jake Paul’s unanimous-decision victory over Mike Tyson has sparked controversy, with a growing number of fans online claiming the fight was fixed. This uncorroborated fan theory suggests that there was a moment during the bout that reveals the fight may not have been entirely legitimate.
The theory first began circulating on social media, with one user on X (formerly known as Twitter) suggesting, “Jake Paul signaling for Mike to take it easy,” while sharing a clip of Tyson landing a punch to Paul’s chin.
In the footage, Paul reacts to Tyson’s punch by sticking his tongue out, seemingly taunting the legendary boxer, as if to imply the hit had no effect on him. It’s a familiar move for Paul, who has used the same gesture in his previous fights as well as outside the ring. The 27-year-old has made it part of his persona to display such bravado, but conspiracy theorists argue that there was more to it than mere showmanship.
According to these fans, Tyson was somehow “signaling” during the match. The claim is that the taunt was a pre-arranged gesture, intended to signal Tyson to ease up during the fight. As a result, fans have begun to question the integrity of the fight, suggesting that it might have been a choreographed performance rather than a genuine competitive bout.
Spokespeople for Most Valuable Promotions, the company behind Paul, declined to comment when contacted regarding these accusations. Similarly, a Netflix spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations, leaving the conspiracy theories unchallenged for now.
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Despite the buzz online, the fan theory remains unsubstantiated and lacks credible evidence. Many boxing experts and fans have pointed out that such claims are purely speculative, and no tangible proof has been presented to suggest that the fight was indeed rigged.
The fight itself saw Jake Paul comfortably defeating the 58-year-old Tyson on Friday night, broadcast live on Netflix.
The former heavyweight champion, who is well past his prime, managed to land only 18 punches while visibly struggling to keep up with the younger and more agile Paul.
Tyson, once known for his explosive speed and power, appeared to lumber around the ring as he attempted to chase down his opponent. Following the fight, Paul commented that he had intentionally held back against Tyson, stating, “I didn’t wanna hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.”
The bout had already drawn significant attention when it was initially delayed earlier in the year. The original fight date, scheduled for June, was pushed back after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up during a cross-country flight.
Tyson later revealed that the ordeal had been life-threatening and required eight blood transfusions during his recovery. Given Tyson’s health issues, many questioned whether he should even be allowed to step back into the ring at all.
Given Tyson’s age and recent health scares, it was unsurprising that Paul entered the fight as the heavy favorite. Despite this, conspiracy theories began to surface, with some fans suggesting that the entire match was nothing more than a fixed spectacle.
One fan wrote on X, “This fight was fixed. Mike Tyson turned up for the $20 million payday, and Jake Paul got a win over Mike.” Another questioned, “Will you watch this video and tell me this Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul match isn’t a fixed one?”
Some fans were even more direct in their accusations, with one claiming, “Jake Paul’s fights are fixed because Tyson IS NOT attacking.” Another fan described the match as “the most staged fight I’ve ever seen,” adding to the growing speculation.
However, for every conspiracy theorist, there were also many fans who dismissed the idea that the fight was rigged. These fans pointed out that Paul’s reaction to Tyson’s punch was nothing more than a taunt—a tactic used by fighters to show that they are unfazed by their opponent’s strikes. “He’s literally signaling that the weak punch did not affect him,” one fan argued. “This is commonly known as a ‘taunt.'”
Another fan pushed back against the idea of Tyson agreeing to participate in a fixed fight. “People thinking they know Tyson enough to know when he’s going soft but they don’t know him enough to know he would never accept a rigged fight,” they wrote, emphasizing Tyson’s competitive spirit and pride as a boxer.
While the debate continues, the outcome of the fight remains unchanged. Jake Paul secured a unanimous-decision victory, adding yet another win to his unconventional boxing career.
Whether or not there is any truth to the theories circulating online, the controversy has only fueled the buzz around Paul’s boxing journey and his ability to draw attention—both positive and negative—to his fights.
The match against Tyson may not have been the showcase of elite boxing that some fans had hoped for, but it was certainly an event that captivated audiences.
For now, the claims of a fixed fight are just another chapter in Jake Paul’s polarizing journey through the world of boxing—a journey that continues to spark conversation and intrigue among fans and critics alike.
