‘Terrible’: AFL champion labels Jake Paul a ‘con job’, calls out YouTuber

A respected AFL champion has labelled Jake Paul a “con job” and vowed to beat the YouTuber, slamming the fight with Mike Tyson.

AFL star Scott Pendlebury has labelled Jake Paul a “con job” and declared he would need only two rounds to beat the YouTuber in a fight.

The world watched on with intrigue on Saturday to see if Paul could beat Tyson or even knock him out in their sanctioned heavyweight boxing fight.

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It was an underwhelming affair, with a dominant third round from Paul doing the damage as the 58-year-old Tyson quickly tired.

The fight went the full eight two-minute rounds and Paul won via unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73 x 2). He landed 78 punches and Tyson landed only 18.

The consensus from around the sporting world was it was “sad” to see Tyson hobbling around the ring and made to look extremely mortal by a Gen Z celebrity.

Pendlebury, a two-time AFL premiership winner and one of only six players to play more than 400 games, slammed the Paul vs Tyson fight in several posts on X.

Before the fight, the respected footy veteran asked his followers: “Will anyone watch the Mike Tyson fight today?”

Catch up on Tyson vs Paul in the video player above

Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson, but it was a hollow victory (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix 2024)

It’s safe to say ‘Pendles’ didn’t enjoy the fight and even called out Paul, believing he could easily take him in a fight.

Pendlebury said: “Jake Paul is a con job! I’d happily “box” him for 8 rounds. Would need 2 maximum.

“Watched the first 3 rounds! That was terrible! Grab the money and run job.”

An avid UFC fan, Pendlebury was more looking forward to Sunday’s UFC 309 card featuring fights include Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler (lightweight) and Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic (heavyweight).

“Today shows you why UFC is always better! The best V the best,” he said.

“Anyways let’s get onto jon jones and sir Charles tomorrow at UFC309.”

AFL fans were taken back by Pendlebury calling out Paul, and had some fun in the replies to his tweet.

“Had to check is this the real Pendlebury,” one person said.

A second joked: “Yeah but does Jake Paul have a basketball background?

A third added: “When the GOAT speaks, we should listen.”

Another quipped: “Pendles is having his 1 session a year tonight.”

Pendlebury, 36, signed a contract extension that will see him play his 20th season in the AFL in 2025.

Scott Pendlebury and Jake Paul.

The victory over Tyson takes Paul’s professional boxing record to 12-1, but there were immediate calls for him to fight a boxer his own age, who isn’t washed up. His only loss has been to Tommy Fury last year.

The reaction came thick and fast on social media, with many joking he’d fight outgoing US President Joe Biden next.

Paul also claimed he eased up in the final rounds and chose not to attempt to knock Tyson out.

“There was a point where I was like he is not really engaging back.

“So I don’t know if he is tired. I can just tell his age was showing a little bit.

“I just have so much respect for him and that war thing between us after he slapped me, I wanted to be aggressive, take him down and knock him out.

“But that kind of went away as the rounds went on.

“I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.”

There are calls for Jake Paul to fight a well-matched opponent. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix 2024)

It felt like Tyson bit his glove, out of habit, more times than he landed actual punches on Paul.

Asked about it in the ring, Tyson said: “Oh, I have a habit of biting my gloves yes.”

Asked why, he replied: “Um, I have a biting fixation.”

Paul said he would be happy to fight again soon against any opponent, even calling out Mexican boxing megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Tyson also seemed to suggested he wasn’t done with boxing, calling out Paul’s older brother Logan in the ring post-fight.

Another boxing great, undefeated American and Hall of Famer Andre Ward, was asked during Netflix’s coverage of the Tyson-Paul fight what Jake should do next to further his career.

“I don’t think Canelo wants to do that right now,” he said. “He could change his mind if the number’s right.

“I really think what Jake is after is legitimacy. He’s got the money, he’s got the followers, I think it’s time for Jake to call somebody out a lot younger than Mike Tyson, a bit more dangerous.

“And somebody the boxing public can say ‘oh, we respect you, even if you lose, you took that challenge’.”

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, took it further when he posted to X after the fight.

“Jake Paul is an embarrassment to this sport,” he wrote. “If my grandfather was still around, (Paul) would call him out. Absolutely no shame … Love you Mike.”

Broadcaster Stephen A. Smith said: “No more BBall players, strikers from MMA, or old men. It’s time for Jake to get into a real fight. He’s good enough! Make it happen.”

Originally published as ‘Terrible’: AFL champion labels Jake Paul a ‘con job’, calls out YouTuber