Mike Tyson and Jake Paul CLOSED after their controversial clash that saw fans calling out Netflix for ‘elder abuse’ and labeling it a ‘sad shame’
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul have been suspended following their controversial clash in Texas on Friday night.
The pair faced off in eight mostly uneventful rounds at AT&T Stadium, ending with the YouTuber-turned-boxer winning via unanimous decision.
However, following the night’s action, the pair are now facing a period on the sidelines, but not because of their actions in front of a packed crowd or the millions watching on Netflix from around the world.
It is a result of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation requiring fighters to take a rest period after fights to ensure their safety.
In most combat sports, fighters must stay out of the ring for a minimum of seven days.
The rules state that for each additional round contested, three additional days will be added to the suspension. While Tyson – or Paul for that matter – would have faced a 60-day layoff if a knockout had been achieved.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are facing a spell on the sidelines following their controversial clash
Paul claimed victory over the former heavyweight champion, competing in his first professional fight in 19 years
‘Medical disqualification of a participant is for their own safety and may be done upon the recommendation of the examining physician or TDLR [Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation]’, as stated in the regulations.
“A competitor who disagrees with a medical disqualification, medical suspension or rest period determined at the discretion of a ringside physician or with a disqualification or suspension determined by the department may request a hearing to show proof of eligibility.”
Perhaps that better explains why Paul did not land a serious blow on his opponent, who was 31 years his senior, during the match, when he was clearly on the rise.
Tyson, 58, was unable to match Paul’s energy and his condition deteriorated during the eight-round clash. The YouTuber sensationally revealed after the fight that he decided not to knock out the former heavyweight champion.
In the final ten seconds of the fight, he even stepped back and bowed to Tyson, out of respect for the sports royalty, while essentially taking his foot off the accelerator.
When asked if he had slowed down after noticing Tyson was getting tiring, Paul said, “Yes, definitely. Certainly a little. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone who didn’t need to be hurt.”
Speaking to Mail Sport after the fight, Jake’s brother Logan said of Tyson: “I think Jake let him live.” He added: ‘He’s tough, proud of him, weathered the storm against a young brute called Jake Paul.’
The disappointing display drew some boos at the finish, while many of those who watched the clash online were left with an empty feeling at the sight of the veteran.
Jake Paul, 27, admitted he took it easy with the veteran after realizing he was tiring
The YouTuber even bowed to his 58-year-old opponent in the final stages of the fight
KSI, who fought Paul’s brother Logan in 2019, described the Texas fight as ‘elder abuse’
Tyson only played sixteen minutes on Friday. But for those who watched him trudge around the ring with a brace on his right knee, it felt much longer. At some point, “he’s 58” started being popular on X, referring to Iron Mike’s age.
KSI, who fought Paul’s older brother Logan in 2019 and correctly predicted the match would be a no contest, labeled the event “elder abuse.”
“What a sad watch,” he wrote on Instagram. ‘It was all sad. Mike Tyson is twice as old as Jake Paul ffs. It would never EVER be close. I can’t believe this elder abuse was even punished. Just disgusting.’
The veteran was competing in his first professional match in almost two decades and it showed as he was unable to keep pace with his much younger opponent.
The stats only confirmed what everyone already knew: Tyson landed just 18 of 97 punches, with only four of those shots making contact with Paul’s torso.
