The internet exploded. Just hours before the bell rang at AT&T Stadium, a "leaked" PDF started making the rounds on X and TikTok. It looked official. It had headers. It had round-by-round descriptions of a knockout. People were furious, claiming the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul script was proof the whole thing was a sham.
Honestly? It was fake.
The "script" predicted a 5th-round knockout by Jake Paul. But if you actually watched the fight on Netflix, you know that didn't happen. The two men went the full eight rounds. Mike Tyson, looking every bit of his 58 years, survived to a unanimous decision loss.
The Viral Script That Fooled Millions
Let's look at why people bought into the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul script rumors in the first place. Boxing has a long, messy history with "fixes," and when you mix a YouTuber-turned-promoter with a legend nearly 60 years old, people get cynical.
The fake document was a classic piece of internet trolling. It described Tyson coming out with his "signature bob-and-weave" and landing a "thunderous left hook" in round two. In reality, Tyson threw only 97 punches the entire night. He wasn't bobbing and weaving; he was surviving. The script claimed Paul would "perfectly time" a right hand to drop Tyson in the 5th.
Instead, we got a 27-year-old kid who seemed to realize halfway through that he was beating up a grandfather. Paul basically admitted as much after the fight. He told reporters he "took his foot off the gas" because he didn't want to hurt someone who didn't need to be hurt. That's not a script. That's just mercy.
Why It Wasn't Legally Possible to Fix
Nakisa Bidarian, the co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, didn't mince words about the rigging allegations. He pointed out that since the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) sanctioned this as a professional bout, any "scripting" would be a federal crime.
Think about it. There was massive legal betting on this fight. If Netflix, a public company, and the promoters had pre-arranged the outcome, they'd be looking at prison time for sports bribery and fraud. It’s one thing to have a "gentleman's agreement" to go easy; it’s another to have a written Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul script.
What the Rules Actually Told Us
While there wasn't a "script," the fight was definitely "managed" to ensure nobody died on live television. The TDLR didn't just let them go out there and kill each other. They put specific safety nets in place that acted as a sort of soft script for how the fight would play out:
- 14-ounce gloves: Standard pro fights use 10-ounce gloves. The extra padding meant Tyson’s aging power was muffled, and Paul’s younger strikes were less likely to cause a concussion.
- Two-minute rounds: Instead of the standard three minutes, these short bursts gave Tyson’s cardio a fighting chance.
- Medical Oversight: Tyson had to undergo extra EEG and EKG testing because of his age and that scary ulcer flare-up he had on a plane earlier in the year.
These rules meant the fight was never going to be a "War in the Ring." It was a sparring session with a massive price tag.
The Real Controversy: "Carrying" the Legend
The most heartbreaking part for fans wasn't a secret script. It was watching Mike Tyson bite his glove to keep his mouthpiece in place because his jaw was tired. By round three, "Iron Mike" had no legs left.
Jake Paul has been accused of "carrying" Tyson. If you watch the tape, Paul lands a big shot in the third that wobbles Mike. Instead of following up with a flurry to end the night, Paul stepped back. He jabbed. He circled. He bowed to Tyson in the closing seconds of the final round.
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Was there a secret agreement? Probably not a written one. But Paul is a businessman. Knocking out a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in two minutes would have turned the entire world against him instantly. Going the distance and showing "respect" was the better PR move.
Actionable Insights for the Skeptical Fan
If you're still looking for the truth behind the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul script or similar "influencer" fights, here is how to spot the difference between a fix and a mismatch.
First, look at the sanctioning body. If it’s an "exhibition," there are no judges and no official winner. Those are often "scripted" in the sense that they are meant to be a show. If it’s a "professional" bout, the stakes are legal, not just theatrical.
Second, watch the feet. You can't fake "old man legs." Tyson’s inability to close the distance wasn't a choice; it was biology. When a fighter's legs go, their power goes with them.
Finally, check the betting lines. If a "script" were real, the smart money would move in huge chunks toward the specific ending. In this case, the money was all over the place, largely because fans desperately wanted to believe Tyson could land one last "fountain of youth" punch.
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The reality is simpler and sadder than a conspiracy. It was a young man who didn't want to be a villain and an old man who just didn't have it anymore. No script required.