During the post-fight interaction with the media, Jake Paul delivered a stunner. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” he said. Following his statement, a debate of sorts erupted across the social media spectrum. For all the hype that preceded it, the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson turned into a mellow episode. Paul stuck to a stick-and-move routine while Tyson closed in. The pattern more or less continued through the eight rounds.

Discussions have since swirled around whether Paul carried the former heavyweight champion. But the problem is, narratives of every shade mar the landscape. In light of the developments, the exchange calls for deeper introspection. The fight between a 27-year-old YouTuber and a 58-year-old needs a review by someone who knows the sport inside out. Teddy Atlas, Tyson’s former trainer, delved into the matter and shared a few of his insights.

The need to understand a reason

In the latest episode of ‘The Fight With Teddy Atlas’, the famed trainer and associate Ken Rideout discussed the spectacle at the Cowboys Stadium, the UFC 309, and the ‘Latino Night’ in Riyadh. But first, the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson match. Rideout asked, “Did you think that he carried him late in the fight?”

“Yeah, I think he did,” replied Teddy Atlas. However, he suggested that it was a matter of many perspectives. What was more significant here was to deduce the reason why it happened. To make it simple, Atlas drew a classroom analogy.

“It’s kind of like being in a courtroom. You’re in a courtroom. Okay, you know, is it murder or is it manslaughter? Was the intent to kill? Or did it happen? You know, because of other circumstances that brought it about, but was the intent premeditated? That’s what we have to figure out here,” Teddy Atlas stated.

After going through a range of scenarios, he zeroed in on likely presumptions. “Did Jake Paul just feel sorry for a guy that could have been his idol, a guy who’s been iconic, a guy who’s been a great, great fighter? Did he feel bad? Did he just have mercy on him?” Teddy Atlas postulated.

Odds of a separate possibility

Or perhaps Jake Paul was quite apprehensive. The fighter standing in front was Mike Tyson. Despite his advanced age, ring inactivity, and depleted skills, Tyson could still throw that deadly punch that flattened so many powerful men back in the day.

Putting himself in Jake Paul’s shoes, Teddy Atlas added, “I could be too close and I could get hit, so I’m going to stay my distance. I’m winning. I’m winning easy. I’m not going to take any risk. I’m going to cash the check. I’m going to get the win. I’m going to get the night. I’m going to win the night. I’m going to get everything we wanted, but I’m not going to risk.”

So in essence, probably Jake Paul acted cautiously. Though he has immense respect for Mike Tyson, maybe he just wanted to prioritize winning. avoid danger without taking any unnecessary chances.

What’s your take on Teddy Atlas’ theory? Do you think the scenarios he discussed were likely?