Jake Paul’s shocking unanimous decision victory over Mike Tyson has left the boxing world in shock, but it was Paul’s immediate reaction that captured even more attention. After eight intense rounds, Paul emerged the victor, however, he shocked everyone when he admitted in a post-fight interview that he actually “didn’t want to hurt Mike” and that he, in a sense, “carried him” during the fight.
The matchup, which took place in Arlington, Texas, was one of the most anticipated in recent boxing history. Jake Paul, known for his transition from YouTuber to professional boxer, faced living legend Mike Tyson, who at 58 had decided to return to the ring. Despite expectations about Tyson’s power, the fight quickly proved that Paul’s youth and resilience would make the difference.
The fight was a back-and-forth of strategy, with Tyson starting strong in the early rounds but quickly losing ground to Paul’s unstoppable pace and quickness. Although Tyson showed flashes of his ability, it was clear that the physical difference between the two, given Tyson’s age, played in Paul’s favor. At the end of the eighth round, the judges declared Paul the winner by unanimous decision, with scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.
However, what really surprised the public was Jake Paul’s statement immediately after the fight. In an interview with the journalists present, Paul said: “I didn’t want to hurt Mike. I knew what he represented for boxing and I deeply respect him. I carried him a little bit, I wasn’t trying to give him everything, since he was a legend, and I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of him suffering a humiliating defeat.”
These words were unexpected, considering the intensity and competitive nature of boxing, where victory is the main goal, regardless of the opponent’s age. However, Paul made it clear that although he was focused on winning, his respect for Tyson influenced his approach during the fight.
Paul’s statement divided fans’ opinions. On the one hand, some saw his words as a gesture of humility and respect towards a boxing icon, while others criticised him for not showing his full potential and instead “going soft” on Tyson.
“It’s impressive that a 26-year-old has the respect to not want to humiliate a man who has given so much to boxing. But at the same time, I would expect someone as competitive as Jake Paul to not hold back his strength just out of respect,” commented one fan on social media.