Well, they got us again. With a masterclass in marketing and entertainment, Jake Paul has once again managed to capture the public’s attention, this time by stepping into the ring with none other than the legendary Mike Tyson. Live-streamed on Netflix, broadcasted worldwide, and held at the iconic Texas stadium, this spectacle was marketed as a fight for the ages. But for anyone who tuned in hoping to see a legitimate contest between two fighters, the end result left much to be desired. In reality, it wasn’t the Mike Tyson we all know and admire — it was a shadow of the champion, carefully controlled and packaged for the money-making machine that is Jake Paul.

From the opening bell, it was clear that Mike Tyson, the iron-fisted champ who once struck fear into the hearts of opponents, was not the same fighter who graced the ring decades ago. In fact, it was almost painful to watch at times. Tyson was clearly holding back — in more ways than one. As he threw punches, there were moments where he visibly stopped himself from unleashing his full fury. Anyone with eyes could see it: Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, was biting his gloves like a maniac, fighting to suppress the instinct to do what he’s always done best — knock opponents out.

What we witnessed wasn’t the competitive fire that built Tyson’s legendary career, but a business move in its most cynical form. Mike had to restrain himself, controlling the urge to hurt Paul. He was a man, not trying to win for himself, but instead, playing a part in a spectacle designed to entertain and generate revenue. It was almost as if Tyson had learned the game of entertainment — a business that is, at this point, more lucrative than the sport itself.

Now, I’m not saying that Mike Tyson, at 58, was destined to throw Jake Paul into a submission. But to watch the first two minutes of this fight, one could’ve thought Tyson still had some gas left in the tank. He came out strong, throwing powerful punches that made it clear Paul was in for a tough night. But Jake, the self-made YouTube star-turned-boxer, kept his distance, moving around the ring with caution — and rightfully so. But even in those initial moments, there was something off. Tyson’s power was palpable, but he wasn’t letting loose the way he used to. In fact, numerous clips have surfaced showing Tyson consciously holding back, letting Paul off the hook in ways that a younger Tyson wouldn’t have.

As the fight wore on, Paul grew more confident. In later rounds, he wasn’t as afraid of Tyson’s power. But let’s be honest: this fight wasn’t about Tyson being in his prime; it was about getting eyes on Jake Paul. And that’s exactly what happened. It’s hard to believe that Tyson, with months of preparation, could look so lethargic and out of sorts after just four minutes in the ring — especially at his age. But this wasn’t a fight for the sport of boxing; this was a performance, one in which Tyson was paid to play his part.

Jake Paul, for all his bravado and self-promotion, still hasn’t faced a legitimate professional boxer. Until he steps into the ring with someone who’s not retired or completely out of the sport, he will never earn the respect he craves. Yes, it takes courage to get in the ring. Yes, it takes dedication to train. But there’s no respect to be earned when the spectacle is engineered from start to finish.

Jake Paul’s business model has always been about attention, clicks, and views. And for that, he’s successful. But as a boxer? He hasn’t earned the credibility he so desperately wants. Until he faces someone who can truly test his skills — not a relic from the past, not a man who has to restrain himself for the sake of the show — the respect will never come.

Much respect goes to anyone who gets up every day to train hard for something they believe in. But Jake Paul, as a boxer, is nothing more than a manufactured character in a story written by the business of boxing. A true boxer knows that the fight isn’t about the money, the views, or the clicks. It’s about the art of boxing — and Jake Paul still has a long way to go before he can even pretend to master it.