The tension between legendary boxer Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-prize-fighter Jake Paul reached a boiling point on Thursday during a dramatic weigh-in at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Paul, 27, is set to face 58-year-old Tyson in a much-debated heavyweight bout on Friday. The pre-fight theatrics took an unexpected turn after both men weighed in. Tyson tipped the scales at 233 pounds, while Paul registered a career-high of 220 pounds.
Following the weigh-in, Paul attempted to provoke Tyson in his trademark flamboyant style, crawling across the stage before rising to meet the former world champion face-to-face. Tyson, who had largely avoided engaging with Paul’s antics throughout the week, reacted decisively. With tensions already simmering, Tyson slapped Paul across the face, prompting security and team members to intervene and separate the fighters.
“Talking’s over,” Tyson declared before walking off the stage.
Paul, ever the showman, laughed off the slap and addressed the crowd with a grin. “I didn’t even feel it. He’s angry. He’s an angry little elf,” Paul quipped. He added confidently, “Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re getting knocked out.”
A source close to Tyson revealed that the slap was sparked by Paul deliberately stepping on Tyson’s foot during their face-off. According to the source, this move was the tipping point after days of Paul’s persistent trash talk.
Tyson’s demeanour throughout the week has been notably unpredictable. While he appeared talkative during Tuesday’s open workouts, his mood shifted at Wednesday’s press conference, where he offered brief, guarded responses. By Thursday, the boxing icon seemed visibly fed up, setting the stage for Friday’s clash.
The generational battle between Tyson, a two-time world heavyweight champion who retired from professional boxing in 2005, and Paul, a novice boxer and social media sensation, has already garnered widespread attention and controversy. Tyson himself added to the intrigue with an ominous promise earlier in the week, stating, “The devil himself will show up Friday night.”
Paul, meanwhile, has made no secret of his intentions, declaring, “It’s personal now. He must die!”
As fans eagerly anticipate this unconventional showdown, the explosive weigh-in has only amplified the drama. Whether Tyson’s slap translates to dominance in the ring or Paul manages to pull off a shocking upset, the fight is poised to be a spectacle like no other.
The stage is set. The trash talk is over. Now, the world watches to see if Tyson’s raw power or Paul’s audacity will reign supreme in this highly anticipated battle of the generations.
Melissa Enoch
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