Jake Paul Brags About Going Easy On Mike Tyson, Claims Boxing Legend Was 'Just Surviving In The Ring'

After defeating Mike Tyson by a unanimous decision at AT&T Stadium, Jake Paul claims he went easy to avoid hurting the 58-year-old legend.

In his first professional fight in 20 years, Tyson struggled but showed resilience throughout the 8-round match with the 27-year-old.

Fans have, however, expressed disappointment over Mike Tyson's performance and Netflix's technical issues, while others praised the boxing legend's enduring legacy.

Jake Paul Claims He Went Easy On Mike Tyson

Speaking after his victory against Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Paul admitted he went easy and chose not to push for a knockout after noticing the boxing icon was struggling in the ring.

The 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer also confirmed he eased up in the third round, saying, "I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn't want to hurt someone that didn't need to be hurt."

Addressing the boos from fans in the final moments of the fight, Paul said he did his best to deliver an exciting performance but struggled because his opponent was "just surviving in the ring."

"I couldn't really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever," Paul explained, per TMZ. "But I don't care about what people have to say. They're always going to have something to say, and that it is what it is."

Fans Are Divided Over Mike Tyson's Unanimous Loss To Jake Paul

Tyson's fight against Paul was his first professional fight in 20 years. However, despite his efforts, the heavyweight champion couldn't reclaim his former glory, losing by a unanimous decision.

The boxing match, streamed live on Netflix, was plagued by technical issues, with the platform crashing multiple times. To make matters worse, thousands of fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium left before the fight's conclusion.

Following the highly anticipated match, fans took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment.

One viewer lamented, "Just sad smh. I cut it off because I couldn't watch anymore. It's sad to see Mike Tyson like this because I went to every Tyson fight. This fight tonight was not great for boxing."

Jake Paul praises Mike Tyson: "He's the GOAT" #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/AhEBA5Ojoj

— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024

Another fan wrote, "They got one of our legends' ass out on Netflix for $20M and it sucks."

However, not everyone was critical. Piers Morgan voiced his respect for Tyson, tweeting, "Prime @MikeTyson would have destroyed @jakepaul in 90 seconds. A 58-year-old Tyson went 8 rounds against a much fitter and very capable boxer half his age. Mock him all you like, but Mike's got the heart of a lion, balls of steel, and will always be an absolute legend."

Another fan echoed the sentiment, stating, "You all can say you wasted your time, I didn't. That's Iron Mike Tyson. You got to see him box. He's 58 years old. He made you believe he could do it. He didn't go down. Dude is an actual living legend."

Trainer Rafael Cordeiro Praises Mike Tyson's Legacy After Hard-Fought Return

Rafael Cordeiro, Tyson's trainer, reflected on Saturday's fight at AT&T Stadium, expressing gratitude that the boxing icon can now focus on spending quality time with his family after months of intense preparation.

"We worked for seven months for this moment. I really believed we had this victory before the fight. He never asked to give up," Cordeiro shared, per the Daily Mail.

Despite the loss, Cordeiro emphasized Tyson's enduring legacy, stating: "He (Tyson) is the people's champion. He has inspired many people outside the ring. Most importantly, Mike comes home to his loved ones."

Mike Tyson Shares Pre-Fight Rituals And Dismisses $20M Fight Criticism

Hours before the fight, Tyson shared his pre-fight ritual, revealing how he gets into the right frame of mind.

"I'll be in bed before I go to the fight, take a warm bath, watch some karate movies," he shared. "Then cold showers before the fight."

Tyson, a devout Muslim, also revealed that prayer also plays a central role in his preparation.

"I never pray and wish that I kick somebody's ass in a fight," he admitted. "I believe God loves the other guy as much as he loves me. I pray I don't get killed, but not that I win."

While some have criticized the match as a cash grab, Tyson, who will reportedly earn an estimated $20 million for the fight, dismissed those claims.

"Money doesn't mean anything," Tyson stated. "Money from this is not going to change my life. I'm living a great life. My cannabis company is the biggest in the world. Money has nothing to do with this. If anything, it's about ego."

The Boxing Legend Plans To Expand His Famous Face Tattoo

In a recent interview with the New York Post, Tyson shared his plan to expand his tattoo to cover his entire face following his fight against Jake Paul at the AT&T Center in Arlington, Texas.

The 58-year-old boxing icon, who made headlines in 2003 with a striking tribal tattoo on the left side of his face, shared: "I'm thinking about some tattoos."

He added, "I think I just want to do my face, my whole face."

When pressed for details about the design, Tyson chose not to say: "I'm not going to tell you, but it's going to be interesting."