Mike Tyson Shuts Down Rigged Fight Allegations After Jake Paul Match

Mike Tyson is setting the record straight about his recent boxing match with Jake Paul.

The 58-year-old legend faced the YouTube star-turned-boxer in a two-minute, eight-round bout on Netflix, losing via unanimous decision. But after the fight, fans began accusing Tyson of holding back his punches and throwing the match—claims he firmly denies.

“It was a real fight,” Tyson declared during a December 9 interview with Fox Sports Radio. “My body, my stomach, my chest was sore [the day after the fight].” Despite the lopsided stats—Tyson landed only 18 punches compared to Paul’s 78—he insists every moment in the ring was authentic. “I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t sweaty,” Tyson added, noting that he even attended the after-party without feeling physically drained.

Tyson admitted he doesn’t remember much of the fight itself, joking, “I kind of blanked out. The one thing I do remember is Jake doing some kind of bow. I thought he was going to hit me!” And no, he hasn’t watched the fight back either, saying, “I just don’t know what the hell went on.”

The fight wasn’t just physically challenging for Tyson—it also capped off a grueling personal journey. He revealed that just months before the match, he nearly died from an ulcer, which required eight blood transfusions and left him 25 pounds lighter. “I had to fight to get healthy,” he shared, adding that standing toe-to-toe with Paul in front of a packed Dallas Cowboys stadium was an unforgettable moment. “This is one of those situations where you lost but still won,” Tyson reflected.

Earning an estimated $20 million for the bout, Tyson expressed gratitude for the experience but brushed off any talk of it adding to his legacy. “The day after the fight, I woke up and told my wife, ‘Why did I do that?’” he admitted.

With allegations of rigging swirling online, Tyson made it clear that he gave it his all in the ring, proving once again why he remains one of the most iconic figures in boxing history.