SPORTS TALK: Don’t believe the hype - Paul vs Tyson fight was horrible to watch

By Greg Buchanan

Jake Paul has claimed that his controversial clash with Mike Tyson achieved a higher gate than any UFC event in history. The social media star collided with the former world heavyweight champion at the AT&T Stadium, securing a wide unanimous decision victory.

Mike Tyson was a shadow of his former self, with the 58-year-old struggling to sustain any attack against his vastly unproven opponent. Yet still, Jake Paul has largely been criticized for his lackluster performance, despite insisting that he took his foot off the gas to save Tyson from suffering any further damage.

Shortly after his victory over Tyson, Paul went even further to justify his flat performance by claiming that he had sustained an injury just two weeks before their fight. And yet, it must be said that ‘The Problem Child’ was still better prepared than ‘Iron Mike,’ who was left fighting for his life after suffering an ulcer flare-up back in June.

But only now has the boxing legend revealed the gravity of his situation, leaving the vast majority of fans questioning why the event still went ahead. Sure enough, Netflix has seemingly answered all their questions, boasting its viewing figures in a recent press release.

Not only did the heavyweight dustup – lasting eight two-minute rounds – reach 60 million homes across the world, but it also recorded the all-time biggest boxing gate outside of Las Vegas.

Myself, a former member of the media for 30-plus years, I fondly remember Tyson in his prime. Netflix used Tyson’s legend (damaged long before by a prison sentence) and was damaged yet again as an old, broken-down 58-year-old who should never have gotten into the ring for a wannabe boxer social media influencer to pad his ego and bank account. Proof positive – “Don’t Believe The Hype”.  It was horrible to watch if you could watch it.

Who’s next, Jake? George Foreman? George, hit him with your Foreman Grill.