Paul cruised to a dominant win over Tyson (Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)
Jake Paul’s promotional company has issued a furious response to ‘perverse’ claims his victory over Mike Tyson was rigged.
Paul, 27, eased to a comfortable points victory over the former heavyweight champion in Arlington, Texas earlier this month.
Fighting a man with 31 years older than him with well documented health issues, his extremely one-sided victory sparked unfounded theories the fight was ‘fixed’. Former world champion Carl Froch was among those to question the legitimacy of the contest ahead of the opening bell, suggesting there was ‘something in the contract’ to ensure no one took heavy damage.
Paul’s promotional company MVP Promotions, which staged the show at the AT&T Stadium, have now hit back at those ‘insulting’ claims, categorically insisting there were ‘no restrictions’ imposed on either fighter.
‘Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs. Tyson event, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight,’ a statement read.
‘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.
Paul was relatively untroubled fighting the 58-year-old (Picture: Reuters)
‘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.’
Paul’s team furious with speculation over the fight (Picture: Getty)
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions added: ‘This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded scepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way.
‘From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities—unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves.
‘This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage. As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt—it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.’