Mike Tyson (Image: Getty Images)
Mike Tyson is embroiled in a £1.2million lawsuit for allegedly reneging on a deal with a gambling promo firm to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Media outfit Medier, pushing the Rabona gambling brand, has taken legal action against Tyson after the heavyweight icon supposedly breached a contract from January with the Cyprus-based company.
Legal papers were lodged at London’s High Court prior to the bout, with Tyson’s team, Tyrannic, accused of pulling out of the agreement come March, citing their own breach. .
The clash with Paul, initially set for July 20, was publicised coinciding with Tyson’s withdrawal. Paul emerged triumphant over Tyson by unanimous judgement at the AandT Stadium, Dallas, before an impressive turnout of more than 73,000 spectators on November 15.
Medier asserts they did not instigate any breach, stating Tyson’s abrupt exit inflicted £1.2m worth of losses.
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“The true reason for Mr Tyson and Tyrannic’s hasty and unlawful termination was because Mr. Tyson had agreed [to] a deal, sponsored by , to fight the influencer Jake Paul,” stated the claim submitted by Medier and their legal representatives.
Tyson and Tyrannic have not formally responded to the lawsuit but might submit their defence shortly.
Despite some streaming snafus and a lack of blockbuster blows, the event proved to be a major financial hit for .
Media behemoths reported that streaming “peaked at 65 million concurrent streams watching around the world, with 38 million concurrent streams in the United States” according to a PR release. Paul reportedly pocketed a staggering $40 million purse while Tyson took home $20 million.
The earnings were slightly skewed due to A) Paul’s promotion of the fight and B) his extensive social media following. The fight was peppered with adverts for sports betting company Draftkings.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” Tyson penned on X the day after the bout. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in [the] ring one last time.
“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”