‘Iron Mike’ was unable to roll back the years against ‘The Problem Child’ back in November – but the pair have since faced ‘rigged’ allegations following their clash in Texas
Mike Tyson’s close friend, NFL legend and former Pro-Bowler Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, believes the American’s showdown with Jake Paul was ‘rigged.’
‘Iron Mike’ announced his retirement from the sport of boxing back in 2005 after suffering a defeat to former Irish star Kevin McBride. He did, however, take part in an exhibition bout against fellow legend Roy Jones Jr in 2020. While many thought it’d be a one-off, the boxing community were left stunned when Tyson announced his return to the professional ring against the young YouTuber-turned-boxer back in November.
The 58-year-old uploaded a few clips of his preparation for the heavyweight dust-up – with a fair few believing he could roll back the years on fight night. But alas, his age showed in the clash. After the first two rounds, the boxing veteran started to tire and failed to land anything significant. Despite failing to get the knockout, Paul would go on to get his hand raised via unanimous decision.
‘The Problem Child’ has been hit with accusations of rigging fights since he made his professional boxing debut back in 2020. Paul initially started paving his way in the sport by taking out fellow YouTubers like Deji Olatunji (brother of KSI) and AnEsonGib, before making his way to fighting proven UFC stars. In an interview with the US Mirror, ‘Pacman’ Jones was quick to express his views on the recent heavyweight clash. “I truly think the fight was rigged because if you look at the first round, Mike hit him with a couple and it looked like he told him to slow down.
“Did I think his feet were all the way there? No, I didn’t. He was a little wobbly on the feet. I like Mike Tyson. I love Mike Tyson. I love to see a real fight with Mike Tyson.”
Jones – who retired from the NFL in 2018 – hosts ‘The Pacman Jones Show’ on BetOnline and the American star believes Tyson still has the potential to unleash his inner “beast.” ‘Pacman’ was ringside at the AT&T Stadium to watch his close friend return to the ring and has since questioned the intensity of the bout. “Paul knocked everybody else out,” he said. “He wasn’t as aggressive though with Mike. He looked a little timid to me. If you had asked me after that first round. ( I’d have thought) ‘ Oh s—, this is a difficult one.'”
Tyson and Paul were initially due to face off in July, only for the bout to be postponed on medical advice. ‘Iron Mike’ suffered an ulcer flare-up on a flight, with the hotly-anticipated bout pushed back to November as a result. Jones was unaware that the boxing legend had endured life-threatening medical issues months before the fight.
That said, he backed the decision of the 58-year-old to take on a fighter less than half his age. “If he is medically cleared, let him go. He is a f warrior, bro. “ Soon after the clash in November, Tyson’s wife appeared to address the American’s future. Mike’s son, Amir, revealed his stepmother has stated that the 58-year-old is “done.” In an interview with Seconds Out, Amir said: “I think he’s done. My stepmom, she’s saying he’s done and they’re a team. That’s husband-and-wife stuff.”
