Mac Engel: Jake Paul's PR statement denying fight with Mike Tyson was rigged misses the issue

Jake Paul wants “to set the record straight,” when no straightening is required.

If anyone would understand that we moved on from his “fight” against Mike Tyson, it should be Paul, who has made a fortune in the split-second entertainment world of social media.

Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions issued a statement on Monday to dispel the rumor that his fight at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 15 against Tyson was rigged. The intention is to change the narrative of what was an embarrassing, if highly profitable, evening, and maintain the interest in Paul’s boxing career.

The fight was not rigged, and no statement was needed. The fight was simply awful.

The statement begins: “Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs. Tyson event, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight.”

“Integrity” and “Tyson v. Paul” have no business of being in the same sentence.

“Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight,” the statement said.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations did sanction this kitten fight between a Disney kid turned YouTuber against a 58-year-old man with serious health issues. The fight had judges, and Paul was awarded a decision when none was needed.

“Best of their abilities” is subjective. After landing one of his first punches, a left to Paul’s head, Tyson looked like he may have something in what was once one of the most feared boxers who ever lived. He flashed some of that old Tyson head movement, but mostly he looked like an old boxer. Because that’s what he is.

The event quickly became an awkward money grab embarrassment, an indictment on the ticket-buying audience more than the promoters, who were doing their job, and leaving Netflix blushing over streaming issues.

“There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules,” the statement said.

No restrictions is a liberal use of the term. The fight was eight rounds, not 10 or 12. The rounds lasted two minutes, not three. The gloves the boxers used were 14 oz., not 10. President Jimmy Carter could take a few shots from a 14 oz. glove.

The statement continues, “Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions. But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naïve but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.”

Accusations of rigged outcomes have been hurled at sporting events in the United States since the New York Nine defeated the Knickerbockers 23-1 in four innings, the first recorded baseball game ever played in America, in 1846.

The New York Nine did not release a statement to the press that the game was rigged. Such accusations are hallow, but every now and then there is a Chicago Black Sox.

“It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer—an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson—would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition,” the statement said.

That’s not how rigged works. You don’t tell the broadcast partner that the live event is staged.

Making sure his boss knows he’s working, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian issued his own words to this statement, saying, “This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way.”

Paul, 27, beat a 58-year-old man in a fight that looked like two-hand touch. There is no compliment.

“From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities — unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves,” Bidarian wrote.

Paul has created a niche for himself in the sport by carefully fighting opponents who are names, but are not boxers. Older guys. Ex-UFC fighters looking for one more check.

He’s also spent the necessary time to train, and learn how to box. He knows how to promote himself, and an event. He created “boxing entertainment,” but his fights are not traditional boxing matches. They are also not scripted WWE.

“As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements.” Bidarian said. “We embrace the doubt — it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.”

Herein lies the “need” for this press statement. Paul wants to continue to fight, but not against fighters who may knock him out. Considering the type of money his fights have generated, he would have no problem finding a line of potential traditional opponents waiting to pummel him through the canvas.

He has avoided real fighters for a reason. Because he’s smart. Because he can. Because there is a market for the fights he stages.

The fallout from his bout against Tyson is that Paul could have unintentionally knocked out the audience for these matches that are staged, not rigged, which is really why he wants to “set the record straight.”

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