Any boxing fans in the house?

[powernoodle]

There is plenty of rumor and innuendo if you Google it, but nothing substantive.  Considering that the fight was sanctioned by the  Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and was promoted as an actual sporting contest, it was not likely to be fake.

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Careful when Internetting.  That smurf will rot your brain.

There have been a lot of people saying it was rigged, scripted, pre recorded, preordained and that neither of them actually landed on the moon.

I love a good conspiracy theory as much as the next guy, but the Noodle of Power has it right- an officially sanctioned match is not likely to be fixed.  And before you say something about governing bodies and their ability to be corrupted, just remember, they make all their money by making sure everything is on the up and up.  If they ever got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, their (relatively) free ride would be up.

In the end, I am glad both of them made their money. 

Of course, for $20 million, I'd have climbed into the ring and said very bad things about both of their mothers.

Def

[powernoodle]

Think how much MTO operating funds could be raised by a pay per view boxing match between Def and SteveC.

Just saying.

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm pretty sure no one wants to see me without a shirt.  I feel like the only way we would make money that way is if I refused to put it back on until we got $20 million!   

Def

[powernoodle]

   

[gregozedobe]

I read that the fight was rigged right from the get-go.  Just another "build-up" fight for J Paul, but with a nice pay-off for Tyson; so a win-win from both their viewpoints.

On-line social media.  Many different places, many different authors, it was a very common speculation.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Well, I feel that the need for protecting people from spoilers is over.  Let's get to the meat of what happened- and apologies for anyone who still hasn't seen it yet, but as everyone is talking about it everywhere else, I am going to have to assume that you already know the outcome.

Mike Tyson lost by Judge's decision after going the full 8 rounds. 

There is some speculation that Jake Paul was going easy on him- that is a possibility and I can't actually argue with that.  In reality though, I think it is very likely that Jake Paul saw the same Tyson we all saw, and was careful not to push any buttons.

Mike is not in good shape- apparently his health scare over the summer almost killed him.  You could see it the second he started to walk towards the ring.  He was not a healthy man. 

Strong?  Yes.  Still dangerous?  Hell yes. 

The fact that he was able to stay on his feet through 8 rounds given what he went through is absolutely nothing short of miraculous, and testament to just how tough Mike Tyson was.

But there was no Beast, no trademarked Tyson savagery.  In the first two rounds he tried, and it's no surprise that Tyson scored higher in those rounds. By Round 3, Tyson was burned out.

In those first two rounds Paul clinched Tyson several times to get out of danger spots that probably would have gotten him KO'ed.

Even though he lost, Tyson showed the world that he isn't going gently into that good night, and that the real winner is Father Time.

To Jake Paul's credit, even standing toe to toe with a weakened Mike Tyson is still an impressive feat, and just before the final bell on the 8th round, Jake Paul bowed to Mike, showing how much respect he had for him.  That was very respectful and appreciated by everyone, Tyson included.

Had this taken place in the summer before the health scare, I think it would have been a very different fight.  Had this taken place a year ago it would have been a very different fight.

But, this is what happened and I have more respect for both of them than I had before hand.

And, early reports are that Jake Paul is celebrating his victory down at the retirement home, picking out his next opponent!   

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

From @MikeTyson on X:

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 have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for.  Thank you 🙏

As I said, he is not doing well, and to maintain that physique and stay on his feet for 8 rounds is nothing short of what we would expect from Mike Tyson.

Def