Chris Rock made a triumphant return to Saturday Night Live as the host during the show’s landmark 50th season. In his opening monologue, Rock shared his thoughts on the controversial boxing match between social media star Jake Paul and boxing icon Mike Tyson.
Rock hosted Episode 9 of SNL Season 50, which aired on December 14, 2024, with Gracie Abrams performing as the musical guest. Throughout his monologue, he discussed various subjects, including the boxing event that had caught the public’s attention.
During his commentary on the Tyson-Paul fight, Rock questioned the legitimacy of the matchup, stating, “What the hell? Who is this Jake Paul? He’s a 27-year-old punching a 60-year-old man in the face. Is this what the white man has reduced himself to? Stop it! Who’s he gonna fight next, Morgan Freeman?”
Rock further expressed his disdain for Paul, declaring, “I hate Jake Paul. I got landlord hate for him. I hate him!”
The much-discussed bout occurred on November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match spanned eight rounds, culminating in a unanimous decision for Paul, which sparked significant backlash due to the significant age gap between the competitors.
In response to the criticism, Paul addressed the backlash in a recent interview, stating, “There is no response to the reaction of the Tyson fight. I quite frankly didn’t look at it. What do I care that people have to say about anything that I do?” He emphasized that he dismisses opinions from those who do not have his direct contact.
Chris Rock previously held a prominent role on SNL from 1990 to 1993, and since then, he has made several uncredited appearances and hosted the show on multiple occasions, including 1996, 2014, and 2020.
