Did Mike Tyson Hold Back in the Fight Against Jake Paul?

In the boxing match between Jake Paul, a 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, and the legendary 58-year-old Mike Tyson, many moments raised suspicions that Tyson wasn’t giving his full effort in the fight.

For instance, Tyson instinctively moved his head or gloves to dodge Paul’s punches and executed knockdown-worthy moves after evading attacks. During the first round, Tyson entered the fight full of energy and clearly dominated. However, it seemed he intentionally held back his strength against Paul. At one point, Paul pulled Tyson in for a clinch, and after a brief exchange of words, Tyson lightly patted him on the back with his glove.

Afterward, Tyson reduced his performance to the bare minimum. He stopped throwing heavy punches and instead kept his actions limited to maintain the appearance of a contest. As Paul unleashed a series of attacks, Tyson barely dodged and showed little intent to counter.

Fan Disappointment with the Fight

Viewers quickly noticed the uneven dynamics of the fight. While Paul exuded arrogance and a lack of respect, Tyson appeared to be restraining himself. When the fight’s results were announced, boos erupted throughout the arena, showcasing the crowd’s dissatisfaction with the spectacle.

Jake Paul’s Post-Fight Antics

After the match, Tyson extended his hand for a handshake, but Paul ignored him and instead used the moment to promote his energy drink brand, Prime.

Allegations of Match Fixing

Overall, the fight appeared to be orchestrated in favor of Paul. The overhyped event significantly benefited Netflix, which reported that the match brought in thousands of new subscribers and was viewed by over 60 million households. Tyson, meanwhile, earned a staggering $20 million from the fight—a substantial payout despite the ongoing debates surrounding the match.