Jake Paul’s girlfriend Jutta Leerdam paid him a glowing tribute on Instagram after he beat Mike Tyson. The YouTube star’s bout against Iron Mike saw 60million tune in on Netflix and rake in $18million at the gate – the biggest in combat sports history outside Las Vegas.
Paul also claimed that figure is higher than any event UFC has ever put on to continue his war of wards with Dana White. Dutch speed skater Leerdam was in attendance in a diamond-encrusted white dress featuring almost as much ice as the arenas she plies her trade in.
And she compared his impact to one of the most iconic nights in U.S. Sports. Before heading to Japan to compete on the ice, she wrote: “You’ve only been doing this sport for a few years and you make the most massive events happen,” she wrote. “People can say what they want but they watched it and it broke records.
“Bigger than the Super Bowl. You keep showing me and the world that dreaming big and manifestation works, Jake Paul – I’m so proud of you. “You inspire me and so many people out there to think big and if you work hard and believe in it then you can make it happen.” Paul’s journey into boxing has seen him come under fire from established figures.
And his decision to fight a 58-year-old who is well past his prime and has struggled with his health raised eyebrows. But after his victory, challenges have come in from undisputed light-heavyweight world champ Artur Beterbiev and IBF heavyweight king Daniel Dubois.
Paul beat Tyson as 60 million households watched on
Leerdam was ringside and embraced her boyfriend after his fight
Leerdam was soon back on the ice competing for World Cup points
Despite being offered the chance to fight for world titles, Paul was clear who he thought had more to offer an opponent. “Man been boxing for 12 years, has over 100 fights between amateur and pro and fought on my undercard…hahaha,” he wrote in reply to Dubois. “But f*** it…I’m going to have Nakisa (Bidarian) talk to Frankie Warren and get you in line for the throne. Unlike Artur, at least you have a few thousand fans”
His post included a screenshot of a chat with Dubois where Paul posted a photo of a ticket dispenser and told him to “get in line.” Last week’s bout was slammed for its slow pace as fans started leaving well before the final bell. But Paul revealed that an injury during camp derailed his preparations and meant he was not at peak fitness.
“I missed about two weeks of sparring and I really couldn’t do much,” he said on his podcast. “I only could spar in the last seven days before the fight, I still had a really weak ankle. “I still taped it up all the time, I was good enough to go in there but I definitely felt my cardio was affected. “I think I healed my ankle sprain faster than any human in the world.”
The Baddest Man on the Planet had zero regrets after losing to the 27-year-old. “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” Tyson said. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. “I almost died in June. Had eight 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 eight 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.”
