Former world champions Tony Bellew, Terence Crawford and Nicola Adams were among those who criticized the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.

The divisive fight between veteran Tyson and YouTuber boxer Paul in Texas did little to win over the boxing fraternity.

There was a lot of criticism in the build-up and opinions largely remained the same after a lackluster spectacle.

“I love Mike Tyson, but they give him too much credit,” undisputed two-weight champion Crawford wrote on X.

“He looked like crap, to train so long and only throw 97 punches, the whole fight is crazy. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt there.”

Paul, 31 years younger than former world heavyweight champion Tyson, claimed a comfortable points victory at AT&T Stadium.

Some fans at the venue headed for the exits early as a lack of action failed to inspire, especially in the wake of Katie Taylor’s gripping defense of her undisputed light-welterweight title against Amanda Serrano.

The main event did little to convince those in the boxing world that it was a worthwhile endeavor.

Tyson, 58, landed just 18 punches in the 16-minute bout and looked tired after just two rounds.

Bellew, a former world cruiserweight champion, said the public is responsible for the explosion of Paul’s boxing career.

“We are all to blame for this man (Jake Paul)! We are all talking and watching. We have to stop this fool. Don’t align yourself with him until he fights someone who is fit and healthy and not a grandfather,” says Bellew. said on X.

‘Any real boxer who helps Paul has to look at himself. This is just sad.’

The defeat is the seventh in 57 fights for Tyson, while Paul has won 11 of his 12 fights after losing to Tommy Fury in 2023.

Olympic champion Adams joined the chorus of people who insisted expectations for Tyson’s return should never have been so high.

“I wanted to see Mike Tyson do what he does, but he’s 58 years old, in exceptional shape, but just not good enough to fight these young up-and-comers right now,” Adams wrote on X.