The Netflix boxing showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has dominated headlines, but the matchup has sparked controversy, with critics labeling it one-sided and some even alleging it was scripted, according to reports.
Women’s WBA world light flyweight champion Sara Bailey has accused the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match of being ‘fixed,’ while fellow attendee Lucas Bahdi suggested Paul didn’t take the fight seriously, according to the Express-US. Netflix, however, revealed on Saturday that the highly anticipated fight drew an audience of 60 million households globally, with viewership peaking at 65 million.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) issued a statement on Monday addressing the allegations that Jake Paul’s unanimous decision win over Mike Tyson was fixed, dismissing the claims as “illogical and absurd.”
Paul, 27, outclassed the legendary 58-year-old former heavyweight champion during their November 15 bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event broke records, generating an $18.1 million gate, the highest for a U.S. fight outside of Las Vegas.
In response, MVP, co-led by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, firmly denied the accusations, reinforcing the fight’s legitimacy. “Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight,” the statement read. “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 (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations) boxing rules.”
🚨 Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson – Proof that the fight was rigged, fake and Tyson was holding back throwing the fight for Money
Busted#JakePaulMikeTyson #Jakepaul #MikeTyson #Youtube pic.twitter.com/4mgQIUHCHm
— T R U T H P O L E (@Truthpolex) November 19, 2024
Social media buzzed with claims that the fight was staged, including the circulation of a falsified “script” that was later debunked. Despite this, skepticism about the match’s authenticity remains. Adding to the controversy, Paul’s acknowledgment that he eased up in the middle rounds instead of pushing for a knockout further intensified speculation of a fixed outcome.
Bidarian has firmly maintained in multiple interviews since the fight that Jake Paul’s victory was entirely legitimate, dismissing any allegations of foul play.
“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,” said Bidarian. “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 continues to set historic records that speak for themselves.”
Among others, prominent figures like Oscar de la Hoya and renowned UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan have hinted that the fight may have been staged or lacked authenticity.
According to reports, Tyson was paid $20 million, while Paul was paid $40 million for the fight.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
