Mike Tyson fight facing new accusations after grabbing worldwide attention

Mike Tyson hogged the headlines in November as he took to the ring at the AT&T Stadium in Texas at the age of 58 to fight YouTuber Jake Paul. But World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst has now called out influencer bouts as he has suggested they could put fighters at risk.

Tyson’s bout was shown live on Netflix and became the most streamed sporting event in history as the former heavyweight champion of the world fought a man who is more than 30 years younger than him. The fight was made up of eight two-minute rounds and lacked intensity, with Tyson a shadow of his younger self. It did go the distance, however, as Paul was eventually declared the winner by unanimous decision.

Van der Vorst explained that “even my daughters were hooked to the event” as he addressed the fight during an interview with The Indian Express at the start of the week.

And after admitting he had overseen a smaller influencer event in the Netherlands, he added: “Such fights are nice for newer audiences, but the safety of the boxers is a big question.

“The event I sanctioned in the Netherlands had thicker gloves with head guards in order to guarantee a safe outcome.”

Mike Tyson was defeated by YouTuber Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas (Image: GETTY)

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Tyson’s fight with Paul was originally due to take place last June, but was postponed for five months after the boxing icon collapsed on a flight and coughed up blood.

But following the showdown, he insisted he had “no regrets” on his decision to fight as he wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I'm grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time.

“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.

“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Paul paid tribute to his rival afterwards as he said: “Mike Tyson, this is such an honour.

“He's the greatest to ever do it. He is an icon. It was an honour to fight him. He was exactly what I thought he would be.”