Eddie Hearn has answered the question fans keep asking after Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson.
The boxing promoter sat ringside to watch 2024’s most controversial fight, which saw 58-year-old ‘Iron Mike’ suffer a points defeat against the former Disney star, who improved his professional record to 11-1 at AT&T Stadium in Texas last weekend.
As is often the case when Jake Paul fights, unsubstantiated rumors about the clash being ‘rigged’ or ‘scripted’ have been going around online and now Hearn has felt compelled to address them.
The Matchroom Sports CEO isn’t a big fan of ‘The Problem Child’ – but he thinks it’s ridiculous to suggest that his fight with Mike Tyson wasn’t above board.
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Eddie Hearn answers most-asked Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson question
During a recent interview with iFL TV, Eddie Hearn reflected on the fight and the baseless claims from some fans who think that it was fixed.
“What happened in the fight was exactly what I was expecting to happen,” he said. “Mike was dangerous for the first 30 seconds then he got knackered, and he’s old and his timing’s gone and he doesn’t have power like he used to.
“When people, like casual fans, say, ‘Oh, do you think it was scripted?’. I don’t at all, I think it’s ridiculous. And I don’t think you could ask Mike Tyson [to go along with that].”
Hearn didn’t enjoy the product that attracted 60 million viewers to Netflix, but he did like the fact Tyson was able to put on one last show for his family and fans.
He added: “When the fight was over I did kind of think to myself [it was] pretty cool for Tyson to have done that, for his kids to see him do that, he’s gone through a hard training camp, he’s gone eight rounds, fair play to him
“I didn’t enjoy it watching it, if I’m honest. I quite enjoyed the first 30 seconds when he was having a right go, but it was a spectacle, it was never going to be fight of the century.
“I said before I wasn’t a fan of it, but look what it created, so you’ve got to kind of acknowledge the commercial reality.
“I might not be the best person to ask because I’m a diehard boxing fan, I love it with all my heart and it wasn’t for me. But what it created was an incredible moment in sport and mainly entertainment.
“I’m glad everyone’s okay, I think everybody needs a challenge in their life and maybe that was a great challenge for Mike Tyson.”
Jake Paul’s business partner addresses ‘rigged fight’ claims
Nakisa Bidarian is Paul’s advisor and the co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions.
Bidarian ignored conspiracy theories surrounding Paul vs Tyson, but then an NFL legend joined in and he decided to publicly address the outrageous claims.
“The only thing that bothers me is the continued narrative and people saying, ‘The fight was rigged’,” he said during an interview with Ariel Helwani.
“I saw something from Michael Irvin, he was on the broadcast and actually sat there with Jerry Jones. I saw something this week where he’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, I saw the contract and Mike couldn’t throw an uppercut’.
“I’m concerned there’s a CTE problem there for Michael Irvin because how would you see the contract to begin with that Mike Tyson couldn’t throw an uppercut?
“It’s beyond lunacy and the realm of reality of life. For anyone to suggest this was in any way a rigged fight, they are either dumb or looking for attention.”