Mike Tyson’s recent fight with Jake Paul has raised a lot of questions. The 58-year-old boxing legend stepped back into the ring to face the younger YouTuber-turned-boxer. While Tyson stayed out of harm’s way, many noticed he didn’t seem to throw his hardest punches. This has made fans wonder if Tyson was holding back on purpose.
Mike Tyson Criticized for Allegedly Holding Back Against Jake Paul
Kevin McBride, an Irish boxer and the last man to beat Tyson before his retirement in 2005, has shared his thoughts. McBride said Tyson would have knocked out Jake Paul if he had really tried. He remembers his own fight with Tyson, where the champion fought hard and even tried to bite him during their match. McBride said Tyson’s effort against Jake Paul didn’t seem the same.
“I have no problem [avenging Tyson’s loss],” McBride insisted. “I am still in great shape and have still got my power.”
“If Jake said let’s get it on, I’d jump in the ring. Jake should challenge me and I will knock him out. Let’s get that fight on.”
“I was the last man to beat [Mike Tyson] fair and square and Jake Paul can believe what he wants to believe.” h/t The Mirror US.
McBride, who has seen the rise of these influencer boxing events, is not a big fan. He compared them to staged wrestling matches and said they focus more on putting on a show than on real competition. Still, McBride said he would gladly fight Jake Paul himself to give fans a real boxing match.
Even though McBride criticized Tyson’s performance, he used the moment to praise Irish boxer Katie Taylor. He said her win against Amanda Serrano in their fight was one of the best matches he has seen.
“He could have loaded up on him but didn’t,” McBride said. “I know the tricks. I fought a lot of heavyweights but Tyson has unnatural power.”
“That is the last thing that leaves you—Mike would knock Jake spark out if he hit him.”
“I know he is 58 years old but that’s the last thing that leaves you. In the days coming up to the fight, you saw him working out and you could see intensity, but then when he fought him, it was like he was holding back.”
Many fans are now debating whether Tyson’s quieter style was because of his age or if he chose to hold back for some reason. While some enjoy the entertainment value of these influencer events, others miss the tough, no-holding-back fights from the past.
As for Jake Paul, the possibility of him facing McBride next could bring a whole new set of questions.
“I don’t think that was good for boxing because good for Mike Tyson. He made a lot of money. Maybe Jake had a lot of money too.”
“So, it’s kind of like watching that wrestling, you’d watch back in the day and they’d be doing body slams and this that and the other but nobody would be getting hurt.”
“I watched it as a kid.”
Will it be a serious match or another big event made for fun and views? Fans will just have to wait and see.
