Jake Paul claims he took it easy on Mike Tyson in Netflix fight: ‘I didn’t want to hurt’ him

Jake Paul claimed he took it easy on Mike Tyson after defeating the 58-year-old in their highly anticipated fight.

In a press conference after the big event — which was livestreamed on Netflix Friday night — the YouTuber-turned boxer said he purposefully backed off Tyson in the third round after noticing the former heavyweight was struggling to keep up.

“I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” the 27-year-old told reporters.

Jake Paul said he took it easy on Mike Tyson during their highly anticipated fight on Friday night. Getty Images for Netflix © 2024 “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” the 27-year-old told reporters afterward. Getty Images for Netflix © 2024

When asked if he felt any of Tyson’s powerful punches in the ring, Paul claimed he didn’t feel the typical force that the boxing legend has become known for.

But the young fighter also claimed “no one’s punches have really hurt.”

Fans began booing the contenders in the final rounds of their face-off despite Paul’s efforts to put on a show.

He blamed the lack of entertainment on Tyson “just surviving” in the ring.

Paul also claimed he didn’t feel much force behind Tyson’s punches. Getty Images for Netflix © 2024 The crowd began booing the fighters in the final rounds, which Paul blamed on Tyson “just surviving” in the ring. Getty Images for Netflix © 2024

“I couldn’t really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever, but I don’t care about what people have to say,” Paul said.

“They’re always going to have something to say and that it is what it is.”

Paul defeated Tyson by a unanimous decision in their publicized boxing match.

A number of stars were in attendance to watch the fight, including Charlize Theron, Joe Jonas, Shaquille O’Neal, Cedric the Entertainer, Rosie Perez, Jerry Jones, Roy Jones Jr., Rob Gronkowski and more.

I couldn’t really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever, but I don’t care about what people have to say,” Paul said. Getty Images for Netflix © 2024 Paul defeated Tyson by a unanimous decision. Getty Images for Netflix © 2024

Tyson raised anticipation for the fight when he slapped Paul during their pre-match weigh-in after the former influencer stepped on his toes.

“I was in my socks and he had on shoes. He stepped on my toe because he is a f–king a–hole,” Tyson told The Post.

But Paul claimed he was unbothered by the slap, saying he “didn’t feel a thing.”