Rasheda Ali, the daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, has shared her thoughts on Jake Paul's unanimous decision victory over Mike Tyson, claiming her father would have been "mortified" by the event. The highly anticipated bout saw the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer dominate the 58-year-old Tyson at AT&T Stadium, leaving fans worldwide divided over the spectacle.
Ali voiced her disapproval during an interview with Fox News, expressing that her father, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer in history, would have struggled to watch the fight and its outcome.
"Boxers in my dad's time didn't make the kind of money Tyson is making now," Rasheda stated. "Daddy would have been excited about the financial success but mortified by the fight itself. Back then, boxers were fighting for their lives, not just for entertainment."
Tyson reflects on his final fight
Tyson, a boxing legend in his own right, returned to the ring 19 years after his last professional defeat. Despite showing glimpses of his former brilliance, Tyson ultimately struggled against Paul's youth and stamina, falling to the seventh professional loss of his storied career.
In the lead-up to the fight, Tyson insisted that money wasn't his primary motivation for stepping back into the ring. Instead, he emphasized the thrill of taking on a risky challenge at his age. After the fight, Tyson expressed no regrets, even hinting at a possible showdown with Jake Paul's brother, Logan. However, he later described the bout as his "last," suggesting his time in the ring is over.
Jake Paul eyes the future
Paul, for his part, celebrated the fight as a monumental moment in boxing entertainment. While he refrained from naming his next opponent, Paul hinted at bigger events on the horizon.
"There may never be another moment like this in boxing," Paul said. "But I believe we can create something even more significant. There are names out there that make sense, and I'm confident we'll deliver another incredible event."
Promoter Nakisa Bidarian echoed Paul's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of entertainment in modern boxing. "It's not just about the result; it's about the attitude and product you create for the fans. Jake Paul is unmatched when it comes to entertaining the audience," Bidarian stated.
As debates continue over the legacy and entertainment value of the fight, one thing is clear: the spectacle has left an indelible mark on the world of boxing.