- Mike Tyson went the distance in his first professional fight in nearly 20 years
- Jake Paul dominated the fight as an unsteady Tyson refused to throw punches
- Check out MailSport Boxing YouTube for interviews on the ground in Texas
Multiple time world champion Terence Crawford has labelled Mike Tyson’s performance against Jake Paul on Friday night as ‘trash’.
The American saw his compatriot comprehensively beaten by the Youtuber-turned-boxer, 31 years his junior, in front of a packed AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tyson, who was competing in his first professional bout in 19 years, was unable to match the energy of his opponent and threw only 97 punches despite the fight going the full eight rounds.
The former heavyweight champion was lauded in some quarters for making it to the final bell, ahead of confirmation of Paul’s unanimous decision win.
But Crawford believes that the praise has been overblown, though he was ultimately relieved the 58-year-old did not sustain any damage.
‘I love Mike Tyson, but they giving him too much credit.’ He wrote on X. ‘He looked like trash, to train that long and only throw 97 punches the whole fight is crazy. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt out there.’
Multiple time world champions Terence Crawford said that Mike Tyson looked ‘trash’ against Jake Paul
The 58-year-old was unable to match the pace and intensity of his much younger opponent on Friday night
Crawford took to social media after the bout and insisted that Tyson praise of Tyson’s performance was overblown
Tyson did just about enough to make the first the only round he won. Thereafter the YouTuber kept doing enough to ensure his 11th victory in 12 fights but not sufficient to inflict serious damage on the boxing legend.
The underwhelming spectacle drew a few boos at the finish but most of the packed Dallas Cowboys Stadium enjoyed their bizarre night out and joined Paul in paying tribute to Tyson.
‘Mike Tyson, he’s a legend.’ Paul said after his win. ‘He’s the greatest to ever do it. I look up to him and we wouldn’t be here today without him. This man is an icon and it’s an honour to fight him. It was tough like I expected it to be.
‘He’s exactly what I thought, one of the greatest to ever do it. This night is not about me. I want to thank the real heroes, the US military, the doctor’s, the nurses, the nurses in the ER, the cops, the farmers… all the people that make this world go around.
‘I was trying to hurt him a little bit. I was scared he was going to hurt me. I’m trying to hurt him. I did my best.’
