Jake Paul, a social media star turned professional boxer, has made headlines not just for his fights but also for his bold and often outrageous statements. One of his most audacious claims is that he could defeat Mike Tyson, a legendary figure in boxing. To understand why this claim seems absurd, it’s essential to look at Jake Paul’s boxing career and his past opponents.
Jake Paul started his boxing journey in 2018. His first fight was against another YouTuber, Deji Olatunji, in an amateur bout. Paul won the fight by technical knockout. This victory, although significant for a beginner, was against someone with no professional boxing experience. Deji is primarily known for his online presence rather than his athletic abilities.
Paul’s first professional fight came in January 2020 against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib. This fight ended quickly with Paul securing a first-round technical knockout. Again, while this win was impressive in its decisiveness, it was against an opponent who, like Deji, lacked a professional boxing background.
In November 2020, Jake Paul fought former NBA player Nate Robinson. The fight garnered a lot of attention, largely because of Robinson’s fame in basketball. Paul knocked out Robinson in the second round. Despite the win, critics pointed out that Robinson had no prior boxing experience, making the matchup heavily skewed in Paul’s favor.
Paul’s next opponent was Ben Askren, a retired MMA fighter known for his wrestling skills rather than his striking abilities. In April 2021, Paul knocked out Askren in the first round. This fight was seen by many as another mismatch, as Askren was not known for his boxing prowess and was also coming out of retirement.
In August 2021 and December 2021, Jake Paul fought Tyron Woodley, another former MMA champion. The first fight went the distance, with Paul winning by split decision. In the rematch, Paul knocked out Woodley in the sixth round. While Woodley was a tougher opponent compared to Paul’s previous fights, he was still not a professional boxer by trade.
These victories, while noteworthy in their own right, have come against individuals who were not professional boxers. This has led many boxing enthusiasts to question the legitimacy of Paul’s boxing credentials. His opponents, though famous in their respective fields, did not possess the skill set of seasoned professional boxers.
Now, let’s consider Mike Tyson. Tyson is one of the most iconic and feared boxers in the history of the sport. Known as “Iron Mike,” he became the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20. Tyson’s career is filled with numerous knockouts and championship titles. Even though Tyson is now retired and much older, his experience, power, and skill are still respected by many in the boxing community.
Comparing Paul’s career to Tyson’s highlights a significant disparity in experience and skill level. Paul, with his limited professional experience and victories over non-professional boxers, is far from the caliber of fighters that Tyson faced and defeated in his prime.
Paul’s claim of being able to defeat Mike Tyson seems to be more of a publicity stunt than a realistic challenge. It’s a statement designed to grab attention and generate buzz, a tactic Paul has employed successfully throughout his career. However, within the boxing community, this claim is seen as ludicrous, given Tyson’s legendary status and Paul’s relatively nascent career in the sport.
