- Francis Ngannou has returned to MMA following high-profile boxing matches
- Jake Paul dominated the bout and stopped throwing punches towards the end
- Check out MailSport Boxing YouTube for interviews on the ground in Texas
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has vowed to give Jake Paul ‘two or three slaps’ the next time he sees him following the Youtuber’s unanimous decision win against Mike Tyson.
The Cameroonian, like many millions around the world, tuned in on Friday night to see Tyson, 58, do battle with Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Not only did the contest fail to deliver any real excitement across its eight rounds but the frailties of the former heavyweight champion, who was unable to keep pace with the 27-year-old Paul, left many feeling empty and some even labelling the event ‘elder abuse’.
Ngannou, who recently had his own dalliance with boxing did not go as far in his assessment of the night’s action but, following the result, he did pledge to enact a small form of retribution for Tyson.
‘Next time I see this Jake Paul guy I’m gonna give him 2 or 3 slaps.’ The 38-year-old wrote on X.
His comment prompted several users on the platform to float the idea of the pair fighting one another in the future. Ngannou holds an unfavourable record of two defeats in two professional bouts, though those losses came against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has pledged to slap Jake Paul the next time he sees him
The Youtuber-turned boxer claimed a unanimous decision victory over boxing legend Mike Tyson on Friday
Ngannou shocked the world when he knocked down then-heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut last year
‘Just put him & Logan [Paul] to sleep forever plz,’ read one post on X that has been viewed 105,000 times and liked by almost 600 people. An even more popular message said: ‘Since Jake wants to fight at heavyweight make it happen.’
Following Paul’s win over Tyson, the 27-year-old again stated his intention to fight multiple-time world champion Canelo Alvarez.
Though on the evidence of his performance in Texas, he will need to significantly – perhaps even unrealistically – improve his level to stand any chance against the Mexican.
On Friday night, Tyson was unable to match Paul’s energy and his condition worsened throughout the eight-round clash. The Youtuber sensationally revealed after the bout that he decided not knockout the former heavyweight champion out.
In the last 10 seconds of the fight, he even stepped back and bowed towards Tyson in a show of respect to sporting royalty – while effectively taking his foot off the gas.
When asked whether he eased up after noticing Tyson tiring, Paul said: ‘Yeah definitely. Definitely a bit. ‘I wanted to give the fans a show but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.’
Speaking to Mail Sport after the fight, Jake’s brother Logan said of Tyson: ‘I think Jake let him live.’ He added: ‘He’s tough, proud of him, weathered the storm against a young brute named Jake Paul.’
The underwhelming spectacle drew a few boos at the finish, while many of the those who watched the clash online were left feeling empty by the sight of the veteran.
