The boxing world is once again embroiled in controversy, this time over Jake Paul’s highly publicized bout against the legendary Mike Tyson.
The fight, which took place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, captivated millions as it aired live on Netflix on November 15.
Hailed as a groundbreaking event, the match brought together the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer and the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion.
Netflix’s first foray into live professional sports made headlines for its massive viewership and shattered streaming records.
Despite its commercial success, the fight quickly became a magnet for criticism.
Allegations of the event being “criminally rigged” surfaced online, questioning the legitimacy of Paul’s unanimous decision victory over Tyson after eight rounds.
Fans and critics speculated that Tyson had intentionally held back, with some labeling the match a calculated spectacle.
A fabricated “leaked script” purporting to outline the fight’s outcome further fueled suspicions, sparking widespread debate.
Adding to the skepticism, some viewers described the fight as “boring,” accusing both fighters of simply “dancing” around the ring.
Others pointed to controversial rule changes and Tyson’s age, questioning whether he could truly compete.
Criticism reached a boiling point when UFC commentator Joe Rogan expressed his concerns on his podcast.
“I’m happy that Mike got the money, and I’m happy that he didn’t get hurt,” Rogan remarked, reigniting claims that the match lacked genuine competition.
In the wake of the accusations, Paul’s boxing promotion company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), released a strong statement to counter the rigging allegations.
MVP categorically denied any wrongdoing, calling the claims “baseless” and “illogical.”
“Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America,” the statement read.
MVP emphasized that the fight was sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) and adhered to all professional boxing standards.
The promotion clarified that both fighters performed in good faith and were unrestricted in their ability to compete.
“Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules,” the statement added.
MVP also pointed out the absurdity of jeopardizing their relationship with Netflix, a partner they hope to work with for future events.
“It is further illogical and inane that MVP would consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition,” they concluded.
Jake Paul himself addressed the controversy during an episode of his brother Logan Paul’s podcast, “Impaulsive.”
Calling critics “dumb f***s,” Paul defended his performance and highlighted Tyson’s elusive boxing style, admitting, “He was hard to hit. I was missing a lot of punches.”
Paul’s co-founder at MVP, Nakisa Bidarian, called the rigging claims a “backhanded compliment” that only underscores Paul’s ability to defy expectations.
Bidarian added, “As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements.”
While the fight sparked debate, it was an undeniable success in terms of viewership.
Netflix reported an average minute audience (AMA) of 108 million live viewers globally, making it the most-streamed sporting event in history.
The event also peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, with 38 million in the U.S., solidifying Jake Paul’s draw as a global entertainment figure.
However, the swirling controversy over the fight’s authenticity continues to dominate the headlines.
The pivotal moment of the story comes down to the integrity of the sport.
MVP’s statement reaffirmed their commitment to fair competition, calling any suggestion of foul play “an insult to the work” of both Paul and Tyson.
Despite the noise, Paul’s boxing career continues to thrive, with speculation of a rematch against Tyson or a bout with another challenger looming on the horizon.
For now, the controversy only adds to Paul’s reputation as a polarizing figure in the world of boxing.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/ @jakepaul)
