Jake Paul has claimed that he took it easy on Mike Tyson during their highly anticipated boxing match, which saw the 58-year-old legend return to the ring against the YouTuber-turned-boxer. The event, which was livestreamed on Netflix Friday night, drew significant attention from fans around the world eager to see how the young fighter would fare against one of the sport’s all-time greats.
During the post-fight press conference, Paul addressed reporters and explained why he chose to ease up on Tyson as the fight progressed. According to Paul, he noticed Tyson was beginning to struggle to keep up in the third round, prompting him to dial back his aggression.
“I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” Paul, 27, said. He emphasized that his primary goal was entertainment, but not at the expense of Tyson’s well-being. Despite his reputation for brash confidence, Paul appeared to show respect for the former heavyweight champion, acknowledging the significance of being in the ring with a fighter of Tyson’s stature.
When asked whether he felt any of Tyson’s infamous power during their bout, Paul claimed that he didn’t feel the force that the boxing icon was once known for. “Honestly, I didn’t feel the typical power that people talk about,” Paul said, adding, “No one’s punches have really hurt me so far.” While the statement came off as confident, some fans saw it as dismissive of Tyson’s legendary strength.
As the fight reached its later rounds, fans in attendance began to express frustration, with some booing both fighters. Paul explained that he did his best to put on a good show, but ultimately blamed the lack of action on Tyson’s strategy of simply trying to survive.
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“I couldn’t really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever, but I don’t care about what people have to say,” Paul admitted. “They’re always going to have something to say, and that is what it is.” Despite his efforts, it seemed that the audience was left wanting more, and Paul’s frustration was evident.
Paul ultimately defeated Tyson by unanimous decision, a result that sparked mixed reactions from both fans and critics. While some were impressed by Paul’s ability to go the distance with Tyson, others felt the fight lacked the excitement they had hoped for. Nevertheless, the bout was a significant moment for Paul, adding another high-profile win to his growing boxing resume.
The event was a star-studded affair, with numerous celebrities in attendance to witness the clash between the young influencer and the boxing legend.
Among the notable attendees were Charlize Theron, Joe Jonas, Shaquille O’Neal, Cedric the Entertainer, Rosie Perez, Jerry Jones, Roy Jones Jr., and Rob Gronkowski.
The atmosphere was electric, with anticipation high for a showdown that promised to blend the old guard of boxing with the new wave of social media-fueled sports entertainment.
The buildup to the fight was not without drama. During the pre-match weigh-in, Tyson raised anticipation when he slapped Paul after the younger fighter stepped on his toes. Tyson, visibly irritated revealed, “I was in my socks and he had on shoes. He stepped on my toe because he is a f–king a–hole.” The altercation only added to the hype surrounding the event, with fans eager to see how the tension would play out in the ring.
Despite the slap, Paul claimed he was unfazed by Tyson’s actions. “I didn’t feel a thing,” Paul said, brushing off the incident as inconsequential. It was yet another display of Paul’s characteristic bravado, which has become a hallmark of his boxing persona.
While the fight may not have delivered the knockout drama some fans were hoping for, it served as another chapter in Jake Paul’s boxing journey—a journey that has seen him transition from internet personality to a legitimate figure in the world of combat sports.
As for Tyson, the bout was another opportunity to step back into the ring, reminding fans of his iconic legacy while also highlighting the reality of age catching up with even the greatest athletes.
The future remains uncertain for both fighters, with Paul hinting at future matches and Tyson expressing a desire to stay involved in the sport in some capacity.
For now, the fight has left fans with plenty to talk about, from the pre-fight drama to Paul’s post-fight comments, ensuring that the spectacle will be remembered as yet another memorable moment in the evolving world of celebrity boxing.
