Mike Tyson’s recent return to the ring against Jake Paul has caused quite a stir. The fight, which lasted eight rounds, was sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations but has since been called into question.
Many expected the 58-year-old heavyweight veteran to overpower the less experienced Paul. Instead, ‘Iron Mike’ looked a shadow of his former self in the ring. This unexpected performance has led to claims that the fight was scripted or rigged.
James Toney, a three-weight world champion and Hall of Famer, shared his thoughts on the Wise Nuts podcast. Toney, who famously stopped Evander Holyfield in 2003, didn’t hold back in his criticism.
"Fk Jake Paul. He sucks. He’s garbage. He’s destroying the sport of boxing, period. He won’t fk with me cause everybody know I ain’t playing. I take my craft serious, I love boxing. Boxing’s my world."
Toney went on to express his disappointment in Tyson’s involvement: "I love Mike but Mike knows better than that st. Mike disrespected the sport. Jake Paul has disrespected the sport by doing what they did. What kind of st is that? … [Mike Tyson’s] getting paid extra money and Jake Paul has the little celebrity thing … They had some kind of deal, some s**t like that … [I realised] as soon as he came to the ring."
MVP, the promotion company behind the event, has strongly denied these claims, calling such comments ‘naive’.
Toney also had some words for Paul, challenging him to a ‘straight up’ fight: "I’m not fking my legacy up for money. I worked hard for that, my legacy, to be where it is. If we fight straight up with no bullst on the side, your ass is mine."
Paul, now an 11-1 fighter, will likely move on to different opponents rather than face another veteran boxer. The controversial eight-rounder continues to be a topic of debate in the boxing world.
