Jake Paul and Mike Tyson faced off in a striking boxing match, leaving fans both entertained and puzzled.
Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, claimed he held back in his fight against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. During a press conference, Paul mentioned that he eased off in the third round when he noticed Tyson was getting tired, saying, “I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.”
The fight, livestreamed on Netflix, ended with Paul winning by a unanimous decision. Paul asserted, “I wanted to give the fans a show,” despite not feeling the full power of Tyson’s punches. The crowd, however, expressed their dissatisfaction with boos, blaming Tyson for merely hanging on during the final rounds.
Paul attributed his inability to land more spectacular moves to Tyson’s cautious approach in the ring. Yet, he brushed off criticism, stating he doesn’t mind what people say, emphasizing his focus on delivering a performance rather than worrying about opinions.
Star-studded attendees at the match ranged from Charlize Theron and Shaquille O’Neal to Rob Gronkowski, highlighting the event’s wide appeal. Pre-fight antics included Tyson slapping Paul during the weigh-in over a toe-stepping incident, which Tyson described colorfully with, “He stepped on my toe because he is a f––king a–hole.”
Despite the drama, Paul remained unshaken, stating the slap didn’t bother him. The event underlined the spectacle often associated with celebrity boxing matches, more focused on entertainment than traditional sportsmanship.
Though the fight may not have lived up to all expectations, it showcased the blend of showmanship and sport in the world of celebrity boxing.
