The boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has ignited a wave of controversy, with fans and critics debating the legitimacy of the fight. Sylvester Stallone, the star of the Rocky franchise and a longtime figure in boxing culture, has added his voice to the discussion, suggesting that Tyson may have let Paul win in what some are calling a staged performance.
The fight itself saw Tyson, now 58, start strong, showing flashes of his former dominance, only to lose steam in the later rounds.
While some attribute this to his age and endurance, others have speculated that the match was orchestrated to favor Paul. Detractors argue that Tyson may have risked his legacy in exchange for the spectacle, fueling conspiracy theories about the fight’s authenticity.
Stallone’s take on the bout
Stallone addressed the controversy on Instagram, sharing personal memories and photos with Tyson, whom he’s known since the boxer was 19.
The actor praised Tyson‘s performance in the ring, describing it as worthy of an “Oscar,” implying that the fight may have been more entertainment-focused than a genuine competition.
“Just to set my personal record straight. Business is business,” Stallone wrote on Instagram.
“SOMETIMES you have to do hard things and sacrifice for the sake of helping your FAMILY…. I have known this unbelievable athlete since he’s 19 years old and what we saw was him giving one of the great Oscar winning performances of all time!!!! Please, Jake, be grateful, HE SPARED YOUR LIFE! Trust me.
“Keep punching Mike, there will never be a MAN like you, a GLADIATOR like you, and a SOUL like you! Keep punching champion of champions! I remember once I bumped into him and thought I was hit by runaway BULLDOZER!!!”
The post quickly sparked a firestorm of opinions, with some agreeing with Stallone‘s take while others accused him of endorsing the idea of a fixed match.
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