Terence Crawford Claims ‘Scripted’ Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson Left Him Heartbroken

Boxing legend Terence Crawford questions the credibility of the 2024 Netflix bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

Terence Crawford Claims ‘Scripted’ Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson Left Him Heartbroken

Jake Paul vs MikeTyson and Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez (via NBC News, MMA Fighting)

In Short
  • Terence Crawford criticized the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight, claiming it appeared scripted and questioning its credibility.
  • The bout, held on November 15, 2024, ended with Paul winning by unanimous decision despite Tyson's noticeable decline in performance.
  • Crawford emphasized the need for UFC fighters to unite for better pay, highlighting the differences in compensation structures between boxing and MMA.

Terence Crawford is regarded as one of boxing’s most dominant fighters of his era, winning world titles in multiple weight classes and maintaining an undefeated championship run. The Omaha, Nebraska, native is also known for his analytical approach outside the ring. He recently criticized Jake Paul’s 2024 victory over Mike Tyson, publicly questioning the overall credibility of the bout.

Paul faced Tyson on November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Texas, in a professionally sanctioned heavyweight contest overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. The bout was scheduled for eight two-minute rounds under agreed professional rules. After the full eight-round distance, all three judges scored the contest unanimously in Paul’s favor, awarding him a decision victory.

Once regarded as one of the most dangerous heavyweight fighters in boxing history during his prime, Tyson appeared noticeably slower during the contest at 58 years old and nearly two decades removed from his last sanctioned bout. The perception that he was not fully committing to offensive exchanges formed the basis of Crawford’s recent comments questioning the nature and credibility of the fight.

I think it was scripted, I ain’t never seen Tyson biting his gloves and, it was taking all that he could not to hit him. It was just like, it’s heartbreaking to see an icon go out like that. He shouldn’t have been in there at all. 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.

Terence Crawford via PowerfulJRE

While the Tyson vs. Paul bout faced scrutiny in boxing circles, it delivered massive commercial success on streaming platforms. The fight reportedly drew 108 million viewers globally on Netflix, marking Tyson’s return to a sanctioned professional ring for the first time since 2005. That figure surpassed the Netflix viewership of Crawford’s career-defining fight against Canelo Alvarez by approximately 67 million viewers.

Crawford has been critical of Jake Paul throughout his boxing career, frequently pointing to Paul’s pattern of facing older or retired fighters rather than active, ranked contenders in their prime. In response, Paul has questioned the Nebraska legend’s recent retirement, describing it as a calculated financial and marketing move intended to build anticipation and draw greater attention for a potential return.

Terence Crawford’s analysis of the Paul-Tyson bout reflected his emphasis on competitive standards and technical evaluation within professional boxing, reinforcing his long-standing reputation as a detail-oriented observer of the sport. Meanwhile, Mike Tyson is preparing for an exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather, scheduled for March in Africa, signaling his continued involvement in high-profile boxing events.

Terence Crawford urges UFC fighters to revolt against low pay

Criticism surrounding UFC fighter pay has persisted for years, with debates focusing on revenue sharing and contract structure. UFC athletes compete under exclusive multi-fight agreements that limit outside sponsorships and independent negotiations. However, CEO Dana White has consistently defended the model as sustainable and beneficial within a centralized promotional system.

Terence Crawford
Terence Crawford (via Boxing Scene)

Terence Crawford has long highlighted structural differences between boxing and MMA when discussing fighter compensation. He has noted that elite boxers often negotiate purses individually and secure pay-per-view shares, while UFC athletes compete under centralized exclusive agreements. That context led to his recent remarks suggesting that meaningful change would require fighters to stand together collectively.

These combat sports, it’s got to come from the fighters, just like boxing. I think if the fighters come together, they can make anything happen. The fighters don’t understand the level of power that they carry because they think that they’re cutting the check. They’ve got the power, but they can’t cut checks without us. But it’s the fighters that need the money that makes it hard, because the fighters that already got the money, they can make a stand for something. But the fighters that don’t, they’re like, well, you can do that, I’ve got to provide for my family.

Terence Crawford via Powerful JRE

The debate over combat sports pay was recently reignited when Conor Benn signed a reported single-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing valued at $15 million. The figure drew attention to the earning potential available in boxing compared to standard UFC contract structures. In that context, Terence Crawford’s longstanding stance on fighter leverage and collective bargaining has gained renewed relevance.

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