Mike Tyson made his return to the professional ring for the first time in nearly two decades – and a fight script was leaked ahead of his clash with Jake Paul
The so called ‘script’ for Mike Tyson’s blockbuster heavyweight showdown with Jake Paul has officially been debunked after the YouTuber-turned-boxer scored a decision victory in Texas.
Tyson was making the walk to the ring in a professional bout for the first time in nearly two decades. While many thought the former undisputed heavyweight champion still had the power to cause a potential upset, fans were left disappointed as ‘Iron Mike’ showed his age in the squared-circle and had no answer for Paul.
Ahead of the fight, Paul had promised to “kill” Tyson, but struggled to land anything significant throughout the heavyweight dust-up. Despite being the much busier fighter, the boxing faithful were left unconvinced as the American claimed victory on the judges’ scorecards 80-72 with two judges and 79-73 with the third.
This came after a fake script for the fight was leaked online. Over the years, many within the boxing community have slammed ‘The Problem Child’ and have accused him of fixing his fights. Paul faced accusations of fixing his fights by fans when a ‘script’ of his clash with Tommy Fury was leaked online last year. The document – which was eventually declared to be fake – was uploaded to social media by Mike Perry. ‘Platinum’ served as a back-up fighter for the showdown last year. The alleged script gave a run down of how the blockbuster clash would play out.
FIGHT REACTION: Fallout from controversial Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul bout
Ahead of the heavyweight clash between the two stars, a fake ‘script’ provided details of each round until the fifth when Paul stopped a tired Tyson. There is no suggestion, however, that the fight was fixed. Here is how the script claimed it would play out…
Round 1 : The opening bell rings and Tyson, showing flashes of his old form, immediately stalks forward with his signature bob-and-weave style. Paul maintains distance, circling the ring cautiously. Tyson lands a few jabs but Paul’s youth shows in his superior mobility. Paul connects with a quick one-two combination before retreating. Tyson’s timing appears slightly off, his punches a fraction slower than in his prime.
Round 2 : Tyson comes alive, cutting off the ring more effectively. He lands a thunderous left hook to Paul’s body that draws a collective gasp from the crowd. Paul weathers the storm, using his reach advantage to pepper Tyson with long jabs. The younger fighter’s stamina becomes evident as he bounces on his toes, while Tyson’s breathing grows heavier.
Round 3: Paul gains confidence, starting to plant his feet more. He lands a sharp right cross that momentarily stuns Tyson. The former champion responds with a vintage combination, but Paul slips most of it. The speed difference becomes more apparent as Paul begins finding his range with his jab. Tyson’s legendary head movement starts to slow.
Round 4: Fatigue sets in for Tyson, though his punches still carry devastating power. Paul establishes his rhythm, landing increasingly clean shots. A particularly sharp right hand opens a cut above Tyson’s left eye. The old champion bulls forward, trying to close distance, but Paul’s footwork keeps him just out of range. The tide is turning.
Round 5 : The decisive round. Paul, sensing Tyson’s fatigue, begins to press forward more aggressively. He lands a crisp three-punch combination that backs Tyson to the ropes. As Tyson tries to weave away, Paul times him perfectly with a devastating right hand that catches his flush on the chin. Tyson’s legs buckle and he drops to the canvas. The referee begins the count, but Tyson, despite his warrior’s heart, cannot beat the ten count. Winner: Jake Paul by KO, Round 5
