Tony Bellew has claimed there was a major difference between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul during their fight which may have influenced the outcome.
And no, the former I’m a Celebrity contestant isn’t talking about the 31-year age difference.
The 41-year-old, a veteran of 34 top-level fights himself, has suggested there was a grand difference in the gloves both men were using.
Ahead of the contest in Texas, both men agreed to series of rule changes.
Among them were shorter two-minute rounds and an eight-round total, but also that they would wear 14-ouch gloves. That’s a quarter-pound more than the common 10-ounce gloves.
According to Bellew, only one man was donning the correct gloves.
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Paul connected on 78 punches during the contest and Tyson was certainly feeling them
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It was apparent very quickly that the age gap would be too much, even for a legend like Tyson
Mike Tyson seen backstage after going the distance with Jake Paul
He tweeted: ‘The gloves Mike has on are looking heavily padded while Jake has on Grants which are full on punchers gloves! There is a huge difference in them gloves and I’m only watching from a bed!’
Even if Tyson fought with his bare fists, he wasn’t throwing or connecting enough to do the required damage to win.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion landed 18 punches in total and had two rounds where he didn’t land any strikes at all.
He was clearly tired and/or in pain after the early rounds, it’s amazing he managed what he did.
Paul had been widely criticised for taking on a 58-year-old Tyson in a professional boxing bout, with Bellew chief among his detractors.
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Tyson and Paul had different types of gloves, though it’s unclear how much they weighed
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Bellew was present in Texas for the showdown between Paul and Tyson
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Bellew’s trolling of Paul was a part of a Paddy Power stunt before things got heated
Tony Bellew gatecrashes Tyson-Paul press event to offer new challenger
Bellew caused a stir in Texas this week for trolling Paul, but the former cruiserweight world champion found some kinder words for the Problem Child after he defeated Tyson.
‘I don’t like this stupid idiot kid but I will say this.. He stopped beating on Mike there and showed him some respect and dignity by letting him survive!
‘He didn’t go for the KO there he stepped off him and let him be.. Mike we all adore you king your a super hero to all of us from the proper fight business!’
The common prevailing sentiment following the fight is that Tyson is a legend and we appreciate he made it out of that fight healthy.
Paul admitted in the post-fight press conference he didn’t go for the kill when the fight was clearly here for the taking. One has to appreciate that move, too.
