Former World Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson’s loss to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has sparked significant discussion in the boxing world, particularly after Tyson’s former rival-turned-friend, Evander Holyfield, pointed out a possible factor behind the defeat. Holyfield believes that Tyson’s strapped knee posed a recurring hindrance during the bout, impacting his movement and contributing to the loss.
Jake Paul defeated Tyson in a fight that saw the YouTuber make a strong comeback after losing the first two rounds. The unofficial scorecard revealed a 78-74 victory in Paul’s favor, marking a decisive performance. Holyfield, in a recent video interview with *Fight Club*, highlighted that Tyson’s restricted mobility, likely stemming from his knee issues, became a glaring weakness.
“It wasn’t a good one [fight]. No, it wasn’t. Well you know, you could tell something was wrong with Tyson’s leg so he couldn’t get his balance, his balance was off. Yeah, his balance was off. He’s [Jake Paul] a pretty good fighter,” Holyfield said.
After the fight, Paul addressed the critics of the bout and downplayed Tyson’s impact during the clash. He claimed that the punches from the 58-year-old boxing legend hardly hurt him and that he deliberately avoided causing any serious damage to the former champion.
“I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt…No [I didn’t feel his power]. Only because the crowd got turned up, but it didn’t actually hurt. But, I mean, nobody’s punches have really hurt,” Paul said.
The matchup had drawn widespread criticism even before it took place. Many questioned Paul’s decision to fight a retired Tyson, who stepped away from professional boxing in 2005. With Tyson well past his prime and grappling with ongoing health issues—including an on-flight health scare earlier this year, which postponed the fight from July to November—the choice was labeled by some as opportunistic.
Despite the criticism, Paul’s victory against one of boxing’s all-time greats will likely add another chapter to his growing resume as a crossover boxer. Meanwhile, Tyson’s loss underscores the challenges faced by aging athletes stepping back into competitive sports. Holyfield’s observations highlight the physical toll that time and injuries have taken on Tyson, further fueling the debate about such mismatched bouts.
