Ex-NFL quarterback and football analyst Robert Griffin III was right about Jake Paul going easy on Mike Tyson on his way to victory.
Paul won the fight in Arlington, Texas, comfortably against the 58-year-old former heavyweight world champion. The 31-age gap was clear for anyone to see as ‘The Problem Child’ dominated the eight-round fight in which Tyson threw only 97 punches and landed just 18.
Tyson was no match for Paul and provided an underwhelming spectacle that was duly slammed by viewers. Fans hit out at the unfair contest with Tyson, who was featuring in his first professional fight in 19 years, not a shadow of the prime fighter who conquered the world.
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One widely believed response to the fight from viewers was how the fight was able to last the distance, with many speculating that Paul spared Tyson serious damage by avoiding going for a knockout victory.
That view was echoed by Griffin III who took to X to say: “Jake Paul is carrying Mike Tyson through this fight. He saw he hurt Mike with the 3 jabs in a row in the 2nd round and pulled all the way off the gas. He could have ended it there and in every round since. Smart business move by Jake Paul. Gives all his sponsors more air time.”
Fans agreed with the former Washington quarterback’s comments as one user wrote: “Me and the Wife said the same thing while watching he could have ended it very early and honestly LIFE is BETTER without the Image of IRON MIKE on the ground Out Cold…”
A second said: “This was over after the second round. I have never seen boxers just stand there and look at each other like they forgot what to do.” While a third added: “There’s show of respect too. Paul could’ve teed off any time.”
Jake Paul dominated the eight-round fight against Mike Tyson (
Anadolu via Getty Images)
The conclusion of the fight was greeted by boos from the disgruntled Texas crowd who were left frustrated with the fight. Paul was asked about the angry reaction from fans in his post-fight press conference and pointed to Tyson’s tactics for making it difficult to put on a show.
He claimed his approach changed the way the fight played out. “Thank you for everyone tuning in and coming. I tried to give the fight the best fight I possibly could, but when someone’s just surviving in the ring, basically, it’s hard to make it exciting, he said.
Proving Griffin III right, Paul was asked why he didn’t finish off Tyson and said: “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone who didnt need to be hurt”
He added: “I could really get him to engage me or slip shots or do something super cool or whatever. But I don’t care what people have to say. It is what it is.”
Paul added that he “wanted to knock him out” after Tyson slapped him at their final face off but conceded: “That kind of went away as the rounds went on. I just have so much respect for him,” he declared.
Discussing his performance in the ring on Netflix, Tyson said: “I am happy. I knew he was a good fighter. I knew he was prepared. I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I am just happy with what I can do.” On Jake Paul, he added: “Very good fighter. Absolutely [deserves respect].”
