Jake Paul has hit out at claims his upcoming fight with Mike Tyson has been ‘rigged’ as the pair get set to face off in the boxing ring on Friday night.
Paul has already vehemently denied allegations that his forthcoming fight with Mike Tyson is rigged.
The 27-year-old, who has repeatedly had to justify the authenticity of his boxing career, is set to face off against the former undisputed heavyweight world champion in a rescheduled bout on Friday night at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.
The event is anticipated to attract up to 80,000 spectators, with millions more expected to watch via Netflix. A YouTube video of the pair’s pre-fight confrontation shows Paul discussing his meteoric rise in boxing, dubbing himself the fastest-growing name in the sport.
He also addressed the notion held by some that his matches are staged. A fake script has done the rounds on social media just hours before the two trade punches.
“They chalk up what I’ve done to fights being rigged,” he declared. “Still when he (Tyson) posts on his Instagram looking like a killer [and] hitting the s**t out of the mits, the top five comments are ‘if Jake wins this fight it’s completely rigged’, and that used to bother me.”
“Because I was like ‘I work so hard can’t you f***ing people see’, but now I take it as a compliment because the human peon brain of the 99 per cent can’t even comprehend how good I’ve gotten and what I’m accomplishing in this world.”
The boxing clash between YouTube star Paul and the iconic fighter Tyson, who carries a staggering 31-year age difference, has been met with a wave of criticism.
Questions are being raised about the choice to pit a 27-year-old YouTuber against the seasoned but 58-year-old Tyson, who has had his share of health scares, including a recent ulcer attack on a plane that postponed their fight.
The matchup did not escape the scathing attention of UFC legend Conor McGregor, who unleashed a fierce expletive-laden critique during a Duelbits live stream. “Mike Tyson, this is your stock. I don’t give a b******s,” blasted the former two-time UFC champion.
“They’re wearing 14oz gloves and it’s two-minute rounds. Who gives a b******s? I hope Mike rattles the little dope, no one gives a s*** about him. How is that even in the f****** Dallas stadium?”