The boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson may have broken viewership records after being streamed live on Netflix but that doesn’t mean that every audience member came away satisfied. It was always going to be a controversial bout from the moment that it was announced due to the huge age gap between the […]
The boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson may have broken viewership records after being streamed live on Netflix but that doesn’t mean that every audience member came away satisfied. It was always going to be a controversial bout from the moment that it was announced due to the huge age gap between the two men.
One of the latest icons to voice his displeasure is MMA pioneer and UFC legend, Don Frye. The 59-year old is known for putting on some classic fights during the early days of the sport including the iconic battle he had with Yoshihiro Takayama in PRIDE which won fight of the year 23 years ago.
A lot has changed since Frye was at his peak and it’s not surprising in the slightest that he didn’t enjoy the time that he spent in the company of the most talked about fight of 2024. He gave his thoughts on the fight and revealed how he attempted to wash it down with an immediate palette cleanser during a recent video on the YouTube channel of his former UFC and PRIDE opponent, Gary Goodridge.
“That made me want to vomit. I was so disgusted with that. I had to go home and put in Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Jake Lamotta, Rocky Marciano. [I] had to watch some real fighters. If I didn’t do that, I’d never watch another boxing match again. That was a fraud.”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson. Last month, ‘The Problem Child’…
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson.
Last month, ‘The Problem Child’ scored a unanimous decision victory over Tyson in an eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Generating more than 100 million viewers on Netflix and more than 70,000 at the gate, Paul vs. Tyson was one of the most successful combat sports events of all time.
Unfortunately, the fight failed to live up to the hype.
While fans were hoping to see a 58-year-old Tyson recapture some of his glory days and deliver one last highlight-reel knockout, it was not meant to be. Instead, both fighters just kind of plodded around the ring for 16 minutes until the “fight” came to a merciful end.
beating a 58-year-old Tyson is nothing Jake Paul should be proud of
Needless to say, nobody was amused or enthused, including ‘Shaq’ who lambasted the lackluster bout during a recent episode of The Big Podcast.
“I felt like I got robbed,” O’Neal said of Paul vs. Tyson. “Great people like us, we’re remembered for what we do, and what we did. So the fact that Mike [Tyson] was putting out the 15-second clips … I love Mike, but he’s 58. I could put out a 10-second Instagram clip, cut it, and I can make myself look like Victor Wembanyama … But that doesn’t mean I can get out there with the young boys.
“If Jake Paul really beats a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, is that something to be happy about? That’s like me right now, or when I was playing, playing against a 70-year-old Wilt Chamberlain and bragging ‘I’m the most dominant!,’ but I wouldn’t’ve felt good about that. When [Evander Holyfield] fought Vitor Belfort, I didn’t feel good about that. I just didn’t like it” (h/t Bloody Elbow).
With Jake Paul reportedly banking $40 million for the fight and Tyson taking home $20 million, it’s hard to imagine that either one of them is paying any attention to the criticism being sent their way.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson. Last month, ‘The Problem Child’…
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson.
Last month, ‘The Problem Child’ scored a unanimous decision victory over Tyson in an eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Generating more than 100 million viewers on Netflix and more than 70,000 at the gate, Paul vs. Tyson was one of the most successful combat sports events of all time.
Unfortunately, the fight failed to live up to the hype.
While fans were hoping to see a 58-year-old Tyson recapture some of his glory days and deliver one last highlight-reel knockout, it was not meant to be. Instead, both fighters just kind of plodded around the ring for 16 minutes until the “fight” came to a merciful end.
beating a 58-year-old Tyson is nothing Jake Paul should be proud of
Needless to say, nobody was amused or enthused, including ‘Shaq’ who lambasted the lackluster bout during a recent episode of The Big Podcast.
“I felt like I got robbed,” O’Neal said of Paul vs. Tyson. “Great people like us, we’re remembered for what we do, and what we did. So the fact that Mike [Tyson] was putting out the 15-second clips … I love Mike, but he’s 58. I could put out a 10-second Instagram clip, cut it, and I can make myself look like Victor Wembanyama … But that doesn’t mean I can get out there with the young boys.
“If Jake Paul really beats a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, is that something to be happy about? That’s like me right now, or when I was playing, playing against a 70-year-old Wilt Chamberlain and bragging ‘I’m the most dominant!,’ but I wouldn’t’ve felt good about that. When [Evander Holyfield] fought Vitor Belfort, I didn’t feel good about that. I just didn’t like it” (h/t Bloody Elbow).
With Jake Paul reportedly banking $40 million for the fight and Tyson taking home $20 million, it’s hard to imagine that either one of them is paying any attention to the criticism being sent their way.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson. Last month, ‘The Problem Child’…
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson.
Last month, ‘The Problem Child’ scored a unanimous decision victory over Tyson in an eight-round bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Generating more than 100 million viewers on Netflix and more than 70,000 at the gate, Paul vs. Tyson was one of the most successful combat sports events of all time.
Unfortunately, the fight failed to live up to the hype.
While fans were hoping to see a 58-year-old Tyson recapture some of his glory days and deliver one last highlight-reel knockout, it was not meant to be. Instead, both fighters just kind of plodded around the ring for 16 minutes until the “fight” came to a merciful end.
beating a 58-year-old Tyson is nothing Jake Paul should be proud of
Needless to say, nobody was amused or enthused, including ‘Shaq’ who lambasted the lackluster bout during a recent episode of The Big Podcast.
“I felt like I got robbed,” O’Neal said of Paul vs. Tyson. “Great people like us, we’re remembered for what we do, and what we did. So the fact that Mike [Tyson] was putting out the 15-second clips … I love Mike, but he’s 58. I could put out a 10-second Instagram clip, cut it, and I can make myself look like Victor Wembanyama … But that doesn’t mean I can get out there with the young boys.
“If Jake Paul really beats a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, is that something to be happy about? That’s like me right now, or when I was playing, playing against a 70-year-old Wilt Chamberlain and bragging ‘I’m the most dominant!,’ but I wouldn’t’ve felt good about that. When [Evander Holyfield] fought Vitor Belfort, I didn’t feel good about that. I just didn’t like it” (h/t Bloody Elbow).
With Jake Paul reportedly banking $40 million for the fight and Tyson taking home $20 million, it’s hard to imagine that either one of them is paying any attention to the criticism being sent their way.
Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions is snapping back at allegations that his fight with Mike Tyson was rigged….
Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions is snapping back at allegations that his fight with Mike Tyson was rigged.
Earlier this month, ‘The Problem Child’ danced his way to an uneventful unanimous decision victory over the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ in front of 72,000 fans inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Though it was one of the most watched combat sports events of all time — netting a reported 108 million streamers — many were frustrated with what the highly anticipated headliner delivered.
Immediately following the bout, Paul revealed that he had taken his foot off the gas pedal once he realized that the 58-year-old Tyson was running out of steam. That has led some fight fans to suggest that the whole thing was rigged — an accusation Paul has become quite familiar with in recent years.
Responding to the claim, MVP released a statement attempting to quell the accusations that Paul vs. Tyson was anything but a legitimate boxing match.
“MVP would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight,” the statement read. “Rigging a profesisional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).
“Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions — contractual or otherwise — around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules” (h/t Irish Independent).
Aside from bringing in a record-breaking audience worldwide on Netflix, ticket revenue for the event reportedly topped $18 million, putting it on par with Floyd Mayweather’s iconic clash against Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007.
“Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes, and opinions,” the statement continued. “But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naive but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.
“It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer — an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs Tyson — would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition.”
Jake Paul’s business partner comments on rigging allegations
With the win over Tyson, Jake Paul is 11-1 in his boxing career, his lone loss coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023. Fury believes a rematch with ‘El Gallo’ is inevitable, but there are plenty of other fighters coming out of the woodwork to end Paul’s impressive run — Daniel Dubois, Artur Beterbiev, and even Francis Ngannou, to name a few.
Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian offered her take on the slew of accusations levied against Paul in recent years, chalking it up to one simple sentiment — haters gonna hate.
“This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way,” Bidarian said.
“From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities — unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves. This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
“As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt — it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.”
Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions is snapping back at allegations that his fight with Mike Tyson was rigged….
Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions is snapping back at allegations that his fight with Mike Tyson was rigged.
Earlier this month, ‘The Problem Child’ danced his way to an uneventful unanimous decision victory over the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ in front of 72,000 fans inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Though it was one of the most watched combat sports events of all time — netting a reported 108 million streamers — many were frustrated with what the highly anticipated headliner delivered.
Immediately following the bout, Paul revealed that he had taken his foot off the gas pedal once he realized that the 58-year-old Tyson was running out of steam. That has led some fight fans to suggest that the whole thing was rigged — an accusation Paul has become quite familiar with in recent years.
Responding to the claim, MVP released a statement attempting to quell the accusations that Paul vs. Tyson was anything but a legitimate boxing match.
“MVP would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight,” the statement read. “Rigging a profesisional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).
“Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions — contractual or otherwise — around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules” (h/t Irish Independent).
Aside from bringing in a record-breaking audience worldwide on Netflix, ticket revenue for the event reportedly topped $18 million, putting it on par with Floyd Mayweather’s iconic clash against Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007.
“Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes, and opinions,” the statement continued. “But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naive but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.
“It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer — an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs Tyson — would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition.”
Jake Paul’s business partner comments on rigging allegations
With the win over Tyson, Jake Paul is 11-1 in his boxing career, his lone loss coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023. Fury believes a rematch with ‘El Gallo’ is inevitable, but there are plenty of other fighters coming out of the woodwork to end Paul’s impressive run — Daniel Dubois, Artur Beterbiev, and even Francis Ngannou, to name a few.
Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian offered her take on the slew of accusations levied against Paul in recent years, chalking it up to one simple sentiment — haters gonna hate.
“This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way,” Bidarian said.
“From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities — unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves. This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
“As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt — it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was not amused by Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson. Last month, ‘The Problem Child’…
Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions is snapping back at allegations that his fight with Mike Tyson was rigged….
