Terence Crawford thinks Mike Tyson’s boxing comeback against Jake Paul was ‘scripted’

The streaming giant’s very first card was headlined by Paul’s decision victory over Tyson, who was making his return to professional action after almost two decades away.

Paul faced a wave of criticism for the fight due to the heavyweight legend’s age. Tyson fortunately avoided damage in a fight that was widely labeled lackluster and disappointing, and Crawford thinks there was a reason for that.

Terence Crawford thinks Jake Paul’s win over Mike Tyson was fake

15 months on from Paul’s triumph over ‘Iron Mike’, Crawford has resurfaced claims that the fight was “scripted.”

In the immediate aftermath of the Netflix bout, the retired boxing legend was critical of Tyson’s performance, describing his efforts in the ring as “trash.”

During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, ‘Bud’ went a step further while looking back on the match with the UFC color commentator.

“I think (Paul vs Tyson) was scripted,” Crawford said.

“I ain’t never seen Tyson biting his gloves and like — it was taking all that he could not to hit him.

“It’s heartbreaking to see an icon go like that,” he continued. “He shouldn’t have been in there at all. There’s other ways (to make money).

“I think with all his connections and things like that, people could’ve put him in the right position to make some money.”

When is Mike Tyson returning to the boxing ring?

Despite the controversy surrounding his most recent outing, ‘Iron Mike’ is not finished yet.

The legendary former heavyweight champion is expected to make his return this year in a grudge match against the recently unretired Floyd Mayweather.

Tyson vs Mayweather is targeted for April 25, with The Ring magazine’s Mike Coppinger reporting that the Congo is the planned location of the big-name fight.

The bout marks another one for Tyson that has divided opinion given his age and the performance he put in against Paul.

Meanwhile, it isn’t the only planned fight for ‘Money’ in 2026. Mayweather’s rematch with Manny Pacquiao is set to be the first boxing match to take place inside the Las Vegas Sphere on September 19.