Carl Froch has revealed the details of the alleged 'script' for Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson after Most Valuable Promotions hit back at the claim.
After controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul defeated former boxing champion Tyson in a heavyweight bout earlier this month, ex-British boxer Froch claimed the fight had been scripted in favour of Paul.
This led to the fight's promoters, MVP, issuing a strongly worded statement hitting back at Froch's comments and assuring fans this was not the case.
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But now, Froch has spoken out once again, as he exclusively told SPORTbible exactly what he heard about the alleged script for the heavyweight clash.
Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible, via CasinoApps, the Brit said: "Mike Tyson was definitely playing to a script, taking his time, and for me it was obvious.
"I'd heard a couple of things on the build up that if he wins in round one or if he only goes in round one or two, say he loses, he doesn't get paid as much.
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"He gets paid more the longer the fight goes. So if he wins in round one, apparently the purse was so low.
"He had a structure where the longer the fight goes and he ends up losing, the more he gets paid.
"And this fight went the distance and he lost. So, he maximised his earnings by the alleged scripting notes. Scripted or not, don't go out there and don't knock Jake Paul out.
"If he knocked Jake Paul out he wouldn’t have got paid, because he couldn't do it. Mike Tyson never went for it, did he?"
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Froch's allegations strongly go against the official statement that MVP released on Monday.
It read: "Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs. Tyson event, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight.
"Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).
"Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter.
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"Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules."
The statement continued: "Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions. But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naïve but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.
"It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer—an organisation that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson—would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition."
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Addressing the claims in the statement, Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions said: "“This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way,”
“From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities—unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time.
"Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves.
"This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
"As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt—it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.”
Topics: Boxing, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Carl Froch
Ben McCrum