Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
Iron Mike Tyson is a memory now. The most exciting, explosive force in the history of sport. Nobody could even touch Iron Mike. He was so great that three decades later they paid him $20,000,000 to lace ’em up one more time. The whole world buzzed in anticipation to see Iron Mike one more time. But Iron Mike refused. He showed up but for his own reasons held back and took the loss that doesn’t matter at all. Iron Mike Tyson 1986-1988 is the greatest fighter who ever lived. Jake Paul gave him a respectful bow in the final seconds, like Larry Holmes should have given Muhammad Ali in 1980.
At the press conference following the fights, which attracted a live gate of over 72,300 in Dallas, Texas, Jake Paul spoke to the sports media. Mike Tyson was not present, but his coaches addressed the media on his behalf.
Jake Paul Quotes
On his initial thoughts when he saw Mike Tyson entering the ring: Yeah, I was just so prepared. I’ve gone through the moment so many times in my head and meditation and stuff like that, so it didn’t phase me and I just felt at home, just on the path of riding my destiny. And when you’re really close to God and on the path of your destiny, you just feel everything so much more and you just know what’s going to happen ahead of time.
On whether he took his foot off the gas during round 3: Yeah, definitely. Definitely a bit. I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.
On whether he felt Mike’s power at all: No.
On whether it’s time for people to accept him for who he is and what he brings to the sport: Yeah, I mean I think so, but people just love to hate me. I’m easy to hate and I intentionally say things to make people hate me. I play the heel, I feed into that, and that’s just what I like to do and that’s what entertainment is. And at the end of the day, I started as a 17-year-old in Los Angeles in the entertainment business. But I’ve been in this sport for four and a half years and have been so active doing every event, taking any fight possible. So if people want to see more or this challenge or fight this person, whatever it is, my response to them is just give him a couple more months. I’m going to accomplish more things in just a matter of months and I plan on doing everything in this sport that there is to be done.
On the reactions on social media: I tried to give the best fight I possibly could, but when someone’s just surviving in the ring, basically it’s hard to make it exciting. So I couldn’t really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever, but I don’t care about what people have to say. They’re always going to have something to say and that it is what it is.
(Photo by Pete Pharoah)
