Okay, let’s get into it. Jake Paul—a YouTube sensation-turned-prizefighter—just took down the Mike Tyson in a boxing ring. Yes, that Mike Tyson, the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” Now that Jake’s got a unanimous decision victory under his belt, the internet’s abuzz with the big question: Was Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fixed? Let’s take a closer look at what went down and why people are so torn.
The Fight Night Breakdown
It all went down in Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium—yes, the same place where the Cowboys try to remind everyone they used to win Super Bowls, and streamed live on Netflix. This time, the spotlight was on Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in an eight-round spectacle. Jake, the 27-year-old social media provocateur with a flair for knocking out washed-up MMA guys, went head-to-head with the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion.
If you’ve been paying attention to Jake, you know he’s no stranger to the drama. The kid’s been out here building a career off the back of viral stunts, YouTube antics, and now boxing. But Tyson? This guy hasn’t fought professionally since 2005, when he called it quits after a fight against Kevin McBride, declaring he was “done with this” and didn’t have the fire to compete anymore. And now here he was, back in the ring, trading blows with a guy who used to make vines.
The theory goes that it’s possible Mike was paid to show up and take the dive and both fighters were instructed—or agreed—not to go for a knockout, turning the bout into more of a sparring match than an actual fight. This suspicion gained traction as fans noticed both Jake and Tyson seemed to be holding back. Neither threw the kind of haymakers they’re capable of, and there were moments where it looked like they were deliberately pulling punches. Tyson’s powerful uppercuts and Jake’s trademark overhand rights were conspicuously absent.
Critics pointed out that these “friendly fights” aren’t unprecedented. Tyson’s 2020 exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. also featured a no-knockout rule, so it’s not entirely out of the question that a similar arrangement might have been in place here. Fans took to social media to vent, with one commenter summing it up: “Tyson wasn’t going for the KO. Jake wasn’t going for the KO. They just danced for eight rounds, and we all paid for it.”
Who Is Mike Tyson These Days?
First, let’s talk about Iron Mike 2.0—or maybe 3.0 at this point. Gone is the snarling, ear-biting juggernaut of the ’80s and ’90s. These days, Tyson is a calmer, more introspective dude. He’s got a wildly popular podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, where he smokes weed with celebs and drops pearls of wisdom that sound like they came straight from a monk on a mountaintop.
Tyson’s also a businessman, leaning into ventures like his cannabis empire (because of course), pigeon racing (his lifelong passion), and even a cartoon series called Mike Tyson Mysteries. The man has reinvented himself as a lovable, eccentric elder statesman of combat sports. But stepping back into the ring against a guy half his age? It felt… off.
Why Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul May Have Been Fixed?
So, was the fight legit? Let’s play devil’s advocate and list the reasons why some people think it might’ve been rigged:
The Age Gap Was Wild
Tyson is 58. Jake Paul isn’t even 30 yet. The sheer physical disparity between the two was so glaring it felt like a WWE storyline. How is a guy who’s been out of pro boxing for nearly 20 years supposed to compete with someone who’s been actively training and fighting?
Weird Rule Changes
The fight featured two-minute rounds instead of the usual three, and both fighters wore heavier 14-ounce gloves. The idea was to “protect” Tyson, but skeptics say these changes only made it easier for Jake to dominate. Was the deck stacked?
Carl Froch’s Wild Allegations
Before the fight, ex-pro boxer Carl Froch claimed the match was pre-arranged for Jake to win. He didn’t provide any evidence, but his accusations got tongues wagging. It didn’t help that Tyson seemed content to play defense most of the night, landing a paltry 18 punches compared to Jake’s 78.
Tyson’s Chill Demeanor
Let’s be real: Tyson didn’t seem all that upset about losing. He smiled, hugged Jake, and even joked about coming back for another fight if the money’s right. Some fans saw this as proof the whole thing was just a big payday, not a real competition.
No Knock-Out Clause
One of the most talked-about aspects of the fight was how predictable it felt. Many fans and pundits guessed early on that it would go the distance, with no knockout from either fighter—and that’s exactly what happened. Almost immediately, whispers started about the possibility of a “no-knockout clause” in their fight contracts.
The Case Against a Fix
Of course, not everyone’s convinced this fight was scripted.
Mike’s Still Mike
Sure, Tyson is older and mellower now, but he’s still a proud guy. Stepping into the ring, even for a novelty bout, is no small thing for him. The dude still has that competitive fire—just listen to him talk about his training regimen leading up to the fight. If he was going to take a dive, it’s hard to imagine he’d agree to be outclassed so thoroughly.
Jake’s Improved… Kinda
Look, Jake Paul isn’t Muhammad Ali, but he’s not the total joke people thought he was when he started boxing. He’s put in work and beaten some legit names (albeit past their prime). He may hop and a podcast here and there or release a YouTube video, but it seems Jake’s main focus is working out and getting prepared for the ring. Beating Tyson might’ve been his toughest test yet, but it wasn’t impossible. Tyson’s age and ring rust were always going to be factors.
Money Talks, But It’s Not That Loud
Both Jake and Mike walked away with bags of cash—$40 million for Jake, $20 million for Tyson. Could they have made more in the future if the fight had a more shocking outcome? Maybe. But a fix would’ve been risky as hell. Both guys would’ve had to keep it under wraps, and in today’s world, secrets don’t stay secret for long.
No Smoking Gun
Despite the rumors and speculation, there’s no actual proof the fight was fixed. No leaked emails, no shady footage of Tyson pulling punches. It’s all just chatter at this point. While we’d all love to think our beloved childhood hero Mike, maybe just needed the cash and took a dive, it’s absolutely possible that the much younger and in shape Paul really beat Iron Mike fair and square.
Why Did Jake Paul Get Paid More Than Mike Tyson?
The answer lies in Jake Paul’s dual role as both fighter and promoter. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the company behind the event, is co-owned by Paul, meaning he didn’t just throw punches—he controlled the purse strings. Similar to how Dana White earns a cut from UFC events, Paul took home a promoter’s share of the fight revenue, including tickets, pay-per-view buys, and sponsorships. This business-savvy positioning meant a much bigger payday for the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
And let’s not forget the dynamics of the matchup itself. Jake had to fight Mike Tyson—a much older Tyson, sure, but still one of the most feared and skilled boxers of all time. Tyson, on the other hand, was up against Jake Paul, a guy who’s proven he can handle himself in the ring but is still met with skepticism every time he laces up his gloves. Add in Jake’s massive social media clout, younger fanbase, and status as the fight’s main draw, and it’s no surprise the brash 27-year-old walked away with the bigger bag.
So, What’s the Verdict?
The truth? Unless one of them outright admits it, we’ll probably never know for sure. But here’s what we do know: This fight wasn’t about Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson; it was about entertainment. Whether you were rooting for Jake to get humbled or for Mike to turn back the clock, you tuned in because it was a spectacle. And for all the skeptics out there, let’s not forget boxing has always had a flair for the dramatic. Even back in Tyson’s heyday, people whispered about fixes and shady promoters.
At the end of the day, Jake Paul walks away with another notch on his belt, and Tyson gets to keep being everyone’s favorite reformed bad boy. Was it a classic? Nah. Was it even a good show? Nope. Even the fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano upstaged it in ferociousness. It was an overhyped, and I think we can all agree, unfair fight that was a big payday for Mike, and even bigger for Jake, that most true boxing afficionados wouldn’t consider a real match that made history.🥊
