Mike Tyson received a phone call from Turki AlAlshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Just moments before stepping into the ring for his fight against Jake Paul. AlAlshikh, a key figure behind Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in boxing, offered words of encouragement and support to Tyson ahead of the high-profile bout.
Tyson, 58, faced a unanimous decision loss to Paul, the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer. In a fight that saw the legendary former champion land just 18 punches across eight two-minute rounds. Tyson’s performance drew mixed reactions, with boxing star Terence Crawford expressing concern on social media about his lack of activity in the ring. Crawford wrote, “I love Mike Tyson, but they giving him too much credit. He looked like trash. To train that long and only throw 97 punches the whole fight is crazy. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt out there.”
Despite the loss and evident struggles in the ring, Tyson expressed contentment with his performance, stating, “I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I’m not one of those guys that look to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.”
Tyson’s team later revealed that just before the fight, the boxing icon received a call from his friend and supporter, AlAlshikh, who wished him well. “His excellency wished him the best and gave him a big pep talk,” Tyson’s team shared. This motivational gesture was part of a broader show of support for Tyson, as AlAlshikh has long been an advocate for Tyson’s involvement in the sport.
While Tyson’s performance was far from his prime form, he hinted at the possibility of another fight, suggesting a potential bout with Jake Paul’s older brother, Logan. “I don’t know. It depends on the situation. Maybe I’ll fight his brother,” Tyson said when asked about his future in the ring.
However, Logan Paul, who is currently more focused on his WWE career than boxing, expressed little interest in fighting Tyson. “I think he wants money, I don’t think he wants to fight me,” Logan said. “I f***ing love Uncle Mike, he’s just so I mean, that was impressive, no? For a 58-year-old? He’s tough, proud of him, weathered the storm against a young brute named Jake Paul. I think Jake let him live.”
Despite the loss, Tyson’s courage and legacy continue to be admired by fans and peers alike. With his return to the ring sparking discussion about his enduring impact on the sport.
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