It’s become a kind-of old trick for Jake Paul to try and lure UFC superstar Conor McGregor into a grudge match. It’s also natural for ‘The Notorious’ to go on a rant when under provocation (even when not). So it’s only natural that the YouTuber-turned-professional-prizefighter would do so after his biggest win to date. Paul defeated Mike Tyson on Friday at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
Jake Paul, 27, predictably had an easy time of it with 58-year-old Tyson. He earned a lopsided decision win with digits of 80-72, 79-73, 79-73. The way it came to be – “Iron” Mike Tyson looked old and slow. However, it drew massive interest as the feature serving headliner to streaming giant Netflix’s first sporting event. Betting some dough into it, Conor McGregor too pitched in and got a response from Paul.
Yeah, he’ll never do that, though, …One, he’s under contract. And two, he won’t do that. He knows better…And it’s funny to say, ‘Conor McGregor is scared of Jake Paul and will never box him,’ but it’s the fu*king truth. And look at him go toe to toe with Nate Diaz, who was easy work for me. It was like a Monday sparring session.
Jake Paul at the post-fight interview
With manager and MVP co-owner Nakisa Bidarian at his side during the presser, Paul faced questions in setting up a fight with McGregor. He alluded to his win over Nate Diaz to slam him some more. In 2016, McGregor succumbed to Diaz at UFC 196 before returning around six months later to win a narrow majority decision. Last year, Paul defeated Diaz by unanimous decision in a 10-round affair.
To Bidarian’s point, McGregor’s exclusive contract with the UFC would complicate things. Hence a bout with Jake Paul is more than just unlikely. But that does not stop him from generating taunts ever and evermore. Clearly there’s no love lost between the two. The same lack of emotion cannot be held for the case of Tyson though.
Jake Paul ‘had no intention of hurting’ Mike Tyson, unfazed by criticism of dull fight
In the run-up to Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, there were questions about whether the Netflix boxing headliner was a real fight. This is especially because it pitted a 27-year-old against a 58-year-old. Now, the lackluster event ending with boos at AT&T Stadium has made that stance even stronger. ‘Problem Child’ isn’t helping matters.
Jake Paul did not want to hurt Mike Tyson, won’t heed criticism of gimmicky domination (Source: X)Mike Tyson was able to blitz through and give the impression that Paul would be in danger early-on. But that only lasted so long with a 58-year-old man trying to keep up his footwork from the 80s. The 2-minute round affair ended with the judges rendering scorecards of 80-72 and 79-73 twice in Paul’s favor. Jake Paul’s words following his pro sanction ‘elderly beatdown‘ did not help convince people any better.
Yeah, definitely a bit [on not going full force], …I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.
Jake Paul further said
Tyson got through the first two of eight 2-minute rounds relatively well. For the first four minutes combined, the fight looked technical. Paul tried slipping in shots while Tyson countered. But in the third round, Tyson began to look his age. Paul, who just thrives in controversy, even did a gimmicky bow to the icon before the final frames.
Those questioning the legitimacy of this had more than enough ammo to start a war. Paul’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian, didn’t sweat the criticism either. He said the fight would always have negative perceptions until Tyson pulled off an upset. All in all, gimmick or not, this matchup will remain a talk for the ages.
