Teddy Atlas has given his take on the closing stages of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson.
The fight took place just over a week ago, with Paul claiming a unanimous decision win after their eight two-minute rounds, streamed live on Netflix.
Paul was dominant throughout the contest, with 58-year-old Tyson struggling to land any real offense on his much younger opponent.
It appeared that ‘The Problem Child’ could have stepped on the gas and claimed a stoppage win in the later rounds, but instead it went the distance, with both men bowing at each other and having a respectful embrace at the final bell.
Legendary analyst Atlas has weighed in on how things unfolded, explaining on his podcast he thought Paul ‘carried’ Tyson, and what the reasons for that may have been.
“Yeah. I think he did. You have to look at what the reason was. Was it premeditated? That’s what we have to figure out. Was it because Netflix told him? Did these guys say ‘wait a minute, do we want to risk a 58-year-old in the ring and have liability, that god forbid he gets hurt?’
“How do you get around it? One way would be to have a script, to have an agreement that nobody is going to hurt the other guy. I’m not saying it was, but I am saying this. Paul let up.
“Or did Jake Paul just feel sorry for a guy that could have been his idol, a guy that has been iconic and a great fighter. Did he just feel bad and have mercy on him?
“Or was it that he was still worried that he’s still Mike Tyson. He might land a punch, so I’m going to stay my distance and take it easy. It’s one of those things.”
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has also had his say on the event and claims the main event was set-up in advance.
The promotion has called any such rumours completely false, though Paul did admit to not pushing for a stoppage.
