Jake Paul Denies Tyson Fight Fix Claims – ‘Rigging Is A Federal Crime’

Jake Paul has hit back at suggestions that his fight with Mike Tyson was fixed. 

Oscar De La Hoya suggested that during his weekly ‘Clap Back Thursday’ segment, where he called out the state of the boxing industry. 108 million viewers across the globe watched the Paul vs. Tyson fight. The event had a live gate record of $18,117,072. This was the biggest event outside of Las Vegas. The co-main event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano also had approximately 50 million viewers. This was the most-viewed female boxing event in history. But De La Hoya called into question the integrity of the Paul-Tyson fight. Tyson was wearing a compression sleeve on his knee, as he was barely on the offensive, with De La Hoya not holding back his words. 

Was It Legitimate?

“I do believe it was scripted, and I believe that Tyson was certainly held back. Look, I’m a fighter, and I can see it…We were warriors. We fought everyone. [And] we created sexy, mega fights that everyone looked forward to watching. We were like the 90s supermodels with the beautiful legs and tight athletic bodies, we were like Kate Moss,” De La Hoya said

Even Carl Froch had doubts before the fight began. He claimed he heard rumors there was something in the contract that would stop Tyson from knocking Paul out. But the fight was scheduled for eight rounds, with each lasting for two. Paul was also hit in the opening round before Tyson tailed off significantly. Paul walked away with $40 million, while Tyson got $20 million, making it a lucrative event for both fighters. But was it a legitimate fight?

“It’s an exhibition fight. I don’t think it should be happening because Tyson is too old. I don’t think it proves anything when Jake Paul beats him, I’ve heard and believe that there is something in the contract which means Tyson can’t even try and hurt him,” Froch stated 

Paul Reacts

Paul has now issued a statement, denying any scripted claims. 

“Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules. 

“Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions. But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naïve but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself. It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer—an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson—would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition,” MVP statement 

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