Jake Paul’s business partner admits YouTube star faces jail time if fixed Mike Tyson fight claims are true
Jake Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian has hit back at critics over the Mike Tyson fight who insist the bout is a ‘fix’.
Boxing fans have regularly shared conspiracy theories on Friday night’s fight being a pre-determined event while former world champion Carl Froch went one step further by insisting it has been fixed.
But Bidarian has insisted that if the fight was fixed, Paul would be facing jail-time.
Speaking to ESPN, Bidarian – who runs boxing promotion Most Valuable Promotions alongside Paul – said: “These are pro fights that consumers are making legal bets on.
“I don’t think the critic who says these are not real fights thinks about [how] there would be jail time if we actually did this type of stuff.
“We have never, and we will never, do anything that’s other than above board and 100 per cent a pro fight unless we come out clearly and say, ‘Hey, this is an exhibition fight that is a show’.”
Paul will face Tyson on Friday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas with Netflix granted exclusive rights to broadcast the fight in an unprecedented move.
There have been many who have criticised the bout, focusing on the huge age-gap – which will be a record in a professional fight.
Tyson, who is 58 and has not fought professionally since 2005, will take on Paul, 27, who has faced just one professional boxer in his 11 fights – a loss to Tommy Fury last year.
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One of the fight’s fiercest critics has been Froch, who insisted he had inside knowledge of the bout being a fix.
“I’ve heard and believe that there is something in the contract which means Tyson can’t even try and hurt him,” Froch told the Metro.
“I’m sure if Tyson did land a big left or right hook on the chin of Jake Paul then he could render him unconscious…
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“I can’t really see that happening, though. In my view it’s all fixed in advance for Paul, and Tyson won’t have the opportunity to do that.”
While there is no evidence to back up Froch’s claims, Tyson’s former coach Teddy Atlas also echoed a similar sentiment.
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He said: “Is it real? If I am asked a question then I am going to say what I believe.
“I am not trying to point the finger or pour water on their party but a legitimate question from me is; is it real? Maybe it is, I hope it is.”
Tyson vs Paul is set to get underway in the early hours of Saturday morning for UK viewers, with the undercard set to start on Friday evening.