Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) company has dismissed “incorrect and baseless claims” that “undermine the integrity” of his fight with boxing icon Mike Tyson on November 16.
In a statement, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said there had been suggestions that the bout “must have been rigged” after Paul beat the former heavyweight champion on points at Texas’ AT&T Stadium, adding that the 27-year-old had faced the “latest backhanded compliment to come his way”.
“This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete,” said Paul’s advisor.
“From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities — unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time.
“As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt — it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.”
Official statement from MVP. #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/KaaVRud9Gq
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) November 25, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Paul vs Tyson
The reported attendance of 72,000 at Texas’ AT&T Stadium was a record for an indoor boxing bout as part of a much-heralded event that was shown on Netflix, which said more than 60 million households around the world had tuned in.
MVP said that rigging a professional boxing match would be a federal crime in the US and emphasised that the showdown was sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).
“Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs Tyson event, MVP would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight,” it stated.
My boxing path forward: Building MVP (the company will be focused on women & prospects and cultural events in any sport), becoming a world champion, and doing massive events along the way
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 18, 2024
“Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter.
“Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules… [and] suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naive but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.
“It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer — an organisation that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs Tyson — would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition.”
We put this on @MostVpromotions pic.twitter.com/cUMIKOBPFn
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 16, 2024
Jake Paul boxing record
Best known as a social media sensation, former Disney Channel star Paul launched his professional boxing career by beating YouTuber Ali Eson Gib in 2020.
Paul’s 12 boxing matches have included several wins over MMA fighters well past their peak, including Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz, and a brutal knockout of former NBA player Nate Robinson.
He beat former UFC wildman Mike Perry in July, scoring a knockdown in the second round before flattening the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship competitor in a corner in the sixth round.
One of his three bouts against active established boxers ended in a split-decision defeat in February 2023 to Tommy Fury, who is the younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury but has never challenged for a title.
This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.
I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
To…
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) November 16, 2024
Mike Tyson record
Tyson was one of the most feared fighters of all time during his reign as undisputed titlist between 1987 and 1990 and won belts again in 1996.
Now 58, he had not fought professionally for more than 19 years before facing Paul and admitted afterwards that he “almost died” in June, adding: “Had eight blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight, so I won.”
Tyson’s performance reflected a middle-aged man well past his sporting prime and there were boos from the crowd towards the end of the contest.
Paul has since traded public offers for a fight with heavyweight king Daniel Dubois and undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
“Just seen this: top five pound-for-pound fighter in the world calling me out,” Paul said on social media after Beterbiev appeared to challenge him. “Four years in and I run this sport.”
Image: MVP
