Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Boxing, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, UFC, Francis Ngannou
Luke Davies
Former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou has made a huge claim following Jake Paul’s points victory over Mike Tyson.
Tyson, 58, took on Paul, 27, in Arlington, Texas, in a fight which was ‘Iron Mike’s’ first professional bout since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005.
Despite the age difference between the pair, it was the curiosity factor that drew a huge number of over 70,000 spectators to the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.
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The pair went the full-scheduled eight two-minute rounds before Paul was adjudged to have won the bout, with the three judges returning scorecards of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.
Of course, this bout will hardly damage the legacy of Tyson, given his illustrious achievements.
Paul could be seen showing his opponent respect at the start of the final round, appearing to bow before Tyson tapped gloves to acknowledge the gesture.
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However, during the build-up ahead of the fight, a lack of respect was shown, which culminated in Tyson slapping Paul in the face during Thursday’s weigh-in.
Several high-profile figures from the world of combat sports weighed in with their take on the proceedings, but MMA star Ngannou did not hold back after the fight.
The former UFC fighter took to X to voice his thoughts, he wrote: “Next time I see this @jakepaul guy, I'm gonna give him 2 or 3 slaps.”
Whether this was a serious threat or merely a tongue-in-cheek remark remains to be seen, but despite his MMA background, Ngannou has fought both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing matches over the past two years.
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He last took to the Octagon in the PFL with a first-round knockout win against Renan Ferreira on October 19.
However, his tweet could be seen as a way of getting his next big-money boxing fight.
Paul and Tyson’s bout was in the heavyweight division, the same weight class that Ngannou competed in.
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The 27-year-old has yet to respond to the tweet, but he will no doubt be seeing dollar signs when he considers the amount of money a potential fight with Ngannou could earn him.
The Cameroonian may also be keeping a close eye on the UFC heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and former opponent Stipe Miocic in Madison Square Garden, New York, on November 16.