Last week, Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision victory over legendary boxer Mike Tyson in an unprecedented fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The bout, which lasted all eight rounds, saw neither fighter inflicting significant damage nor landing decisive blows. This unusual fight led to widespread speculation, with some believing it was intentionally staged to favor Paul. However, UFC analyst Chael Sonnen dismissed these allegations and provided a different perspective on why Tyson lost.
According to Sonnen, the primary reason for Tyson’s loss was fear, specifically fear of exhaustion. Tyson, now significantly older than during his prime, allegedly fought conservatively to preserve his stamina. Sonnen elaborated that after the first round, Tyson seemed to shift his approach, opting for a defensive strategy to ensure he could endure all eight rounds.
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“It’s every wrestler’s biggest fear: Can I get through this? And Mike had that same fear,” Sonnen explained. He suggested Tyson decided about three minutes into the fight that he lacked the energy, skill, or speed to defeat the younger Paul. At that point, Tyson focused on achieving what Sonnen referred to as a “moral victory”—lasting the entire fight rather than aiming for a knockout or dominant performance.
Sonnen also addressed viral videos circulating online that purported to show Tyson deliberately holding back punches against Paul. Critics of the fight used these clips as evidence of potential match-fixing. However, Sonnen argued that these moments were merely Tyson setting up follow-up combinations, which Paul anticipated and avoided. Sonnen dismissed the claims of match-fixing, asserting that those who believed the fight was staged likely lacked real boxing experience.
The fight itself saw Tyson start strong in the first round with flashes of aggression, but his pace slowed noticeably in subsequent rounds. Meanwhile, Paul maintained steady pressure throughout, landing jabs and hooks that visibly affected the former heavyweight champion. By the end, the judges scored the fight decisively in Paul’s favor: 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.
Despite the criticism and speculation surrounding the fight, both athletes earned substantial payouts. Jake Paul reportedly secured $40 million, his highest earnings to date, while Tyson walked away with $20 million for his efforts. These figures even sparked discussions in the MMA world, with UFC star Jon Jones referencing the fight as a benchmark for higher pay.
Jones reportedly used the rumored payouts to demand better compensation from the UFC, particularly for a potential fight against Tom Aspinall. However, Chael Sonnen was critical of Jones’s approach, labeling his request unreasonable. Sonnen emphasized the fundamental differences between the business models of MMA and boxing, arguing that Jones’s comparison lacked merit. “For Jon to bring in a business that’s not his… Jon, tell me who signed that mythical check,” Sonnen said, highlighting the speculative nature of Jones’s argument.
The bout between Tyson and Paul, while criticized by many as a spectacle rather than a legitimate contest, raised broader questions about the state of professional boxing and athlete compensation. Whether Mike Tyson’s performance was purely due to age or strategic restraint, the event left fans debating its authenticity and significance in boxing history.