Hollywood icon Rosie Perez, who graced the ringside as a commentator for the much-talked-about face-off between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on Nov. 15, has expressed that she harbors “complicated” feelings regarding the event.

The showdown between the two controversial figures at AT&T Stadium spurred a divide among boxing enthusiasts yet managed to become a blockbuster sensation at the box office. With an age gap of 31 years, Paul, age 27, emerged victorious against the seasoned Tyson in an eight-round bout through a unanimous decision.

Critics may have labeled the event lackluster, but Netflix, backing the battle, declared an estimated colossus of 108 million live viewers internationally. This viewership milestone places the clash as the 10th most-viewed sports spectacle in history and the runner-up for the most-watched boxing event on record.

Notwithstanding, according to analyst Perez, the night’s true victory belonged to the co-main event featuring powerhouse Amanda Serrano and her adversary Katie Taylor. In a highly anticipated rematch for the light-welterweight undisputed title, Taylor triumphed over Serrano. Drawing an approximate global audience of 74 million, the match not only captivated viewers but also promised a hefty windfall for the fighters, as they reportedly clinched purses amounting to combined earnings of $6.1million.

Perez has expressed her mixed emotions about Jake Paul, particularly his role in ensuring Amanda Serrano was well-compensated, stating: “It’s complicated, my feelings in regard to Jake Paul. Because I am so grateful for him for getting Amanda Serrano paid. I mean really, that woman has getting punched in the face for what, 16 years? And didn’t get a big payday until he came around? That’s really sad.”

She also shared her thoughts on Paul’s credibility as a boxer after his victory over Tyson, saying: “In regards to him as a boxer, he has gotten better, he’s taken it seriously. But, yeah. You know…” Additionally, Perez clarified her previous remarks about Katie Taylor’s win being marked by an “asterisk” due to a headbutt incident, telling Ariel Helwani: “There was one moment I do regret in the Taylor-Serrano fight because it came out wrong and if anybody jumped on me for that – that’s fair.”

The co-main event at AT&T Stadium proved a major draw with viewers too

The co-main event at AT&T Stadium proved a major draw with viewers too ( 

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(Image: Getty))

She continued: “And that was when I said Katie Taylor will have an asterisk next to her name because of these fights. I would correct myself on that. I would think twice about saying stuff and how to say it to make sure that I’m clear and it cannot be misconstrued because I’m sure it was. That just haunts me, that statement just haunts me.”

Taylor’s coach, Ross Enamait, responded to comments from Perez with strong words on Off The Ball, saying: “You have a responsibility to call the fight fairly just call what you see. And again, I’m not pointing fingers but Rosie Perez, she’s a boxing fan but does that mean she’s qualified to commentate on the most viewed fight in history? Probably not.”

He further added, addressing Taylor’s impartiality in the face of bias: “I knew she was going to be pro-Serrano and obviously it doesn’t affect us. We just have to go our there and execute our plan and win the fight. You’d like to have an evenly called fight, just for the fans.”