Dave Portnoy Slams Tyson vs. Jake Paul Fight as a Marketing Con

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was outspoken on the “BFFs” podcast about the recent fight between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson “the greatest con-job marketing” he had witnessed. Despite its commercial success, he critiqued the fight for lacking real competition.

The exhibition bout concluded with Jake Paul winning unanimously, igniting extensive online criticism. With Tyson at 58 years old and past his prime, many, including Portnoy, doubted the matchup’s legitimacy.

On X, Portnoy remarked, “Credit to Jake Paul and Mike Tyson for pulling off one of the great cons of the century. I should’ve bet $10 million on Jake. Not because he’s good, but because he fought a senior citizen.”

Post-fight, Paul stirred further controversy by stating, “I wanted to give the fans a show but didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.”

Tyson’s Legacy Under the Spotlight Portnoy reflected on Tyson’s storied past as one of boxing’s most formidable figures, contrasting it with his recent ring appearance. “He’s a bad guy, he was the baddest, scariest motherf-ker, and that’s what people remember. But you just had to be out to lunch if you thought [Tyson was going to win],” he commented.

A Global Streaming Phenomenon Despite the backlash, the event broke records, with Netflix announcing it as the “most-streamed global sporting event ever.” Over 108 million viewers tuned in, though many experienced technical issues. Netflix has vowed to resolve these problems before its upcoming NFL broadcasts on Christmas Day.

Read: Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson by Unanimous Decision in Epic 2024 Bout

While the fight may have fallen short in drama and competitiveness, its ability to attract viewers and generate buzz is undeniable. As Portnoy conceded, “I’d take the money too if I could.”

The debate continues: was this event a true celebration of boxing or merely the latest in celebrity exhibition bouts? Fans and critics are left weighing whether the spectacle justified the payoff.