Jake Paul unanimously defeated Mike Tyson Friday night in Arlington, Texas, after fighting a marquee bout on Netflix. But at a press conference following the match, the 27-year-old social media star admitted he literally pulled some punches to avoid hurting the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion.
“Yeah, definitely a bit,” Paul said during the post-fight press conference after being asked if he went easy on Tyson. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.”
Tyson, who hadn’t fought in a formal match in 19 years, entered the ring wearing a knee brace. Despite an initial volley of punches, the Brooklyn-born slugger showed signs of waning stamina throughout the eight-round contest.
“I tried to give the best fight I possibly could but when someone’s just surviving in the ring basically, it’s hard to make it exciting,” Paul continued. “I couldn’t really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever.”
A representative for Tyson did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement on X Saturday afternoon, Tyson said he was “grateful” for the match.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won…No regrets to get in ring one last time,” he wrote.
Tyson continued, “To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for.”
It was the seventh-ever official loss out of 59 recorded contests for the boxing legend, who held the heavyweight title from 1987 to 1990.
Paul’s win improved his professional record to 11-1.
Originally slated for this summer, the clash was postponed in May after Tyson suffered a medical setback.
Despite internet chatter that Friday night’s outcome was predetermined, the match was officially sanctioned by Texas regulators. However, Paul was heavily favored to win in the run-up to the event.
“I don’t care what people have to say,” Paul said after the event. “They’re always gonna have something to say, and it is what it is.”
