Terence Crawford has questioned the legitimacy of the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul boxing event, calling the fight “scripted” and “heartbreaking” in a recent interview.
The boxing world has long since questioned the legitimacy of the Paul vs Tyson fight since it first aired, not helped by the fact that the former admitted to pulling some punches on the night. This comment fuelled social media and the boxing circle. However, there have been no verified claims, and The Problem Child’s team have strongly denied any such claims ever since.
The fight became one of the most-watched boxing crossovers in recent years. The then 58-year-old boxing legend, who was returning to the ring after nearly two decades, lost via unanimous decision under special rules for shorter rounds and heavier gloves.
Just over a year since the fight took place, former five-division world champion Terence Crawford, a recurring guest on the Joe Rogan podcast, spoke out about the contest.
Terence Crawford on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
“I think it was scripted,” Crawford said on the podcast when asked about the fight.
“I ain’t never seen Tyson biting his gloves… it was taking all that he could not to hit him. It’s heartbreaking to see an icon go out like that.”
Crawford also questioned whether the legendary former heavyweight champion should have competed at all, suggesting there were better ways for Tyson to be involved in the sport or benefit financially without stepping back into the ring.
“He shouldn’t have been in there. At all,” Crawford continued. “I think there’s other ways. I think, with all his connections and things like that, I think people could have put him in the right position to make some money.”
Jake Paul Continues to Face Criticism
As for Jake Paul, the scepticism shows no signs of slowing. Every high-profile outing brings renewed questions and accusations from boxing purists, especially when icons of the sport are involved.
With respected champions like Terence Crawford publicly questioning what unfolded, the conversation around novelty bouts versus legitimate competition feels louder than ever. For boxing, the challenge now is balancing global attention with the credibility that has long defined the sport.
Crawford’s remarks add another high-profile voice to the ongoing debate about spectacle fights and the direction of modern boxing. These kinds of crossover events have boosted viewership and revenue, but traditionalists argue they sometimes compromise competitive integrity.
For many longtime fans, the sight of Tyson back under the bright lights was as emotional as it was controversial. Once the most feared man in boxing, his return carried nostalgia and curiosity in equal measure, but it also prompted uncomfortable conversations about how sporting icons should choose to close their chapters.