Shaquille O’Neal’s Surprising Take on Tyson vs. Paul Boxing Match

Shaquille O’Neal expressed disappointment after the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, claiming he felt “robbed” by the spectacle.

Does he have a point?

At a Glance

  • Shaquille O’Neal felt “robbed” after watching the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight
  • The fight, held at AT&T Stadium on November 15, became the tenth most-watched sporting event in U.S. history
  • Controversy surrounded the match due to the 30-year age gap between 58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul
  • Jake Paul admitted to holding back during the fight to avoid hurting Tyson
  • Tyson defended his performance, stating he was satisfied with his own efforts

O’Neal’s Critique of the Fight

Shaquille O’Neal, renowned for his candid sports commentary, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the recent boxing match between legendary fighter Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul.

And it seems like his thoughts are shared by many other Americans who tuned in that night.

The event, which took place at AT&T Stadium on November 15, drew significant attention, becoming the tenth most-watched sporting event in U.S. history with over 108 million viewers on Netflix.

Despite its popularity, O’Neal expressed his disappointment with the fight’s quality and legitimacy. The former NBA star questioned the match-up, pointing to the stark 30-year age difference between the 58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul.

Concerns Over Boxing’s Integrity

O’Neal’s critique highlights a growing concern among boxing purists about the sport’s integrity. The match between Tyson, who hadn’t fought professionally in nearly two decades, and Paul, with only 11 professional fights under his belt, raised eyebrows in the boxing community.

“I felt like I got robbed. Great people like us, we’re remembered for what we do, and what we did,” O’Neal said.

Adding fuel to the controversy, Jake Paul admitted to holding back during the fight to avoid hurting Tyson. Paul stated that Tyson’s punches had little impact in the later rounds, further questioning the competitiveness of the match.

“I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I’m not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do,” Mike Tyson said.

Tyson’s response to critics like O’Neal demonstrates a different perspective on the event. The former heavyweight champion expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing personal fulfillment over public opinion. This stance, while admirable, does little to address concerns about the match’s impact on boxing’s reputation.

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