"Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Was the Fight Rigged?

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Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: The ‘No Uppercut’ Controversy That Has Fans Crying Foul

The highly anticipated clash between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson has left fans and critics alike questioning the legitimacy of the fight. What was billed as a battle of grit and glory ended in a unanimous decision victory for Paul, but allegations of a contractual clause banning Tyson’s signature uppercut have sparked a firestorm of controversy.

A Lopsided Fight That Raised Eyebrows

The 27-year-old Paul dominated the eight-round bout, landing significantly more punches than the 58-year-old Tyson, who managed only 18 strikes throughout the fight. Judges’ scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 unanimously favored Paul, but fans were left underwhelmed by Tyson’s performance and the apparent lack of his trademark aggression.

NFL legend Michael Irvin was one of many to call the fight into question. Speaking on The Herd podcast, Irvin suggested a potential clause in the fight agreement might have barred Tyson from throwing uppercuts. “I was looking for that patent 'one in the body, one on the uppercut.' But we didn’t get that, not one,” he said. “If that’s in the contract, then come on guys—why wouldn’t Mike Tyson throw an uppercut?”

Jake Paul’s Response and Tyson’s Next Steps

After the fight, Paul claimed he had intentionally held back against Tyson, stating, “I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.” This sentiment, combined with his dramatic bow to Tyson before the final bell, left many fans wondering whether the fight was more spectacle than sport.

Boxing pundits and fans have called for Tyson to reconsider stepping into the ring again. Suggestions have been made for the former heavyweight champion to focus on coaching or working in a gym to mentor the next generation of fighters, rather than risking his legacy in high-profile bouts.

Ali Family Weighs In

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of the legendary Muhammad Ali, joined the chorus of criticism, labeling Paul an “embarrassment to the sport.” Ali Walsh, a professional middleweight boxer, revealed he had previously turned down a $3 million offer to fight Paul, citing his family name as the reason.

“How much does your pride cost?” Ali Walsh asked, stating that participating in such a spectacle would tarnish his grandfather’s legacy. Despite his disdain for the fight, Ali Walsh left the door open to face Paul if Tyson personally requested it, potentially setting the stage for another headline-grabbing bout.

The Bigger Question: Was the Fight Rigged?

As speculation swirls, one of the most damning claims centers around a possible contract clause restricting Tyson’s ability to throw uppercuts. Such a limitation would fundamentally alter the nature of the fight and potentially explain Tyson’s subdued performance.

Podcast host Colin Cowherd also suggested that Paul may have chosen not to knock Tyson out, saying, “By the fifth round, Jake Paul had a chance and I wonder if he said, ‘I’m not going to humiliate him.’”

While no evidence of such a clause has been confirmed, the mere suggestion has further fueled skepticism about the fight’s authenticity.

For that, we have a couple of TikTok videos that people put together with some conspiracies, along with Rocky himself — Sylvester Stallone.

They all some moments where Tyson could have gone in for some big punches but held back, and Stallone said “HE SPARED YOUR LIFE” to Paul, implying Tyson held back for a payday.

"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…. I have known this unbelievable athlete since he’s 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! 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 runaway BULLDOZER!!!" - officialslystallone

What’s Next for Boxing and Jake Paul?

Jake Paul’s rapid ascent in the boxing world continues to draw both fans and detractors. While his ability to market fights is undeniable, the ongoing backlash against his bouts with past-their-prime legends threatens to undermine his legitimacy as a fighter.

For Tyson, the bout has ignited calls for him to retire from active competition and focus on passing his knowledge to younger fighters.

As for the boxing world, the fallout from this fight underscores the tension between entertainment and authenticity in modern combat sports. Was the fight simply another spectacle, or was it a step too far in the name of promotion? Only time—and perhaps more revelations—will tell.

What do you think? Was this fight a fair competition, or was it rigged from the start?

Let us know in the comments in Discord or in YouTube video's comments section.

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