For the third time this year, Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, has made headlines for his latest controversy, this time after a recent match with 58-year-old Mike Tyson. The age difference between the two and the long hiatus Tyson had in professional boxing since 2005 drew strong public criticism, but Paul, who thrives off controversies, addressed the backlash through his humor.
He was joking on X during a press conference in Arlington, Texas, about a 392-year-old shark that has been found in the Arctic Ocean. “Next opponent found. Let’s run it.”
Next opponent found. Let’s run it https://t.co/8o2jViuqdZ
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 5, 2024
Paul had earlier fought UFC veteran Anderson Silva. Critics have also come after him for choosing such opponents. There have been rumors about the authenticity of his fight with Tyson, which Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, outright denied. He assured the public that, “This was sanctioned by the athletic commission, partnered with Netflix, and involved professional sports betting. Rigging an event of this magnitude is a federal crime, endangering everyone involved, from Jake Paul to Mike Tyson and Netflix executives. The thought is ridiculous.
Bidarian said that what ensured Tyson was good to perform was the delay of the five months brought about by the ulcer from Tyson himself. He concluded, “If this was staged why would we wait for an event? 100 percent the fight is real in its entirety
