Mike Tyson didn’t wait until stepping into the boxing ring to give fans a taste of what’s to come in his much-anticipated fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The legendary heavyweight champion, now coming out of retirement, is set to take on Paul this Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match, which will be streamed live on Netflix, promises to be anything but conventional, and their fiery weigh-in on Thursday night only added to the hype.
Tensions escalated during the weigh-in when Mike Tyson and Jake Paul faced off. Standing inches apart, Tyson suddenly slapped Paul across the face, sending shockwaves through the crowd and sparking immediate chaos.
The unexpected slap caught everyone by surprise, as people rushed in to hold Tyson back while Paul kept his composure. In response, Paul mockingly slapped his own cheek, seemingly brushing off the altercation. The exchange set the stage for a highly charged bout, and it’s safe to say that fans can expect an explosive showdown in the ring.
Later, it emerged that the slap was reportedly triggered by Jake Paul stepping on Tyson’s foot. Though it wasn’t immediately clear if the move was accidental or an intentional taunt, the result was a fired-up Tyson who didn’t hesitate to send a message to his younger opponent.
The confrontation added an edge to an already tense build-up, and neither fighter seemed interested in de-escalating matters.
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Instead of backing down, Paul responded by trash-talking Tyson even more after the incident. His taunts, laced with explicit language, escalated the tension to a boiling point. In a series of heated remarks, Paul addressed Tyson’s slap with utter disdain.
“I didn’t even feel it,” Paul scoffed, dismissing the force of Tyson’s slap. “He’s angry. He’s an angry little elf. Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re getting knocked the f— out. I’m f—— him up! He hits like a b—-! It’s personal now! He must die!” Paul’s inflammatory words left no question about his intentions, as he vowed to take the fight to Tyson and deliver a decisive win.
Paul, who has crafted a surprisingly successful boxing career since stepping into the ring, boasts an impressive record of 10 wins out of 11 fights, including seven knockouts.
Despite critics questioning his experience, Paul’s knack for generating attention and putting on entertaining fights has made him a popular, albeit polarizing, figure in the boxing world. Last month, he boldly predicted he would knock out Tyson, and after Thursday’s incident, he seems even more determined to prove himself.
On the other hand, Tyson’s legacy in the sport is one that few can match. During his professional career, which spanned over two decades, Tyson won 50 of his 58 matches, with 44 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Known for his incredible power and intimidating presence in the ring, Tyson earned the nickname “The Baddest Man on the Planet.” Though he officially retired in 2005, he returned to the ring for an exhibition match in 2020 against Roy Jones Jr., showing that, even in his late 50s, he still had plenty of fight left in him.
The upcoming bout is a classic clash between an experienced legend and a rising provocateur. At 58, Tyson brings years of experience and an impressive track record, while Jake Paul, 27, carries the confidence and bravado of youth, along with a drive to prove himself against one of boxing’s all-time greats.
Their weigh-in skirmish has only added to the anticipation and intensity, and boxing fans around the world are eager to see how the drama unfolds in the ring.
For Tyson, the fight represents a return to what he does best, showing the world that age hasn’t taken away his edge. For Paul, it’s an opportunity to validate his young boxing career against a true legend of the sport.
With the bad blood already boiling over, Friday night’s showdown at AT&T Stadium is shaping up to be an unforgettable clash.
The Tyson-Paul fight will be broadcast globally on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET, with millions of fans expected to tune in to witness the culmination of weeks of buildup and bravado.
One thing is certain—after Thursday’s weigh-in fireworks, both fighters will be bringing their absolute best to the ring, with neither willing to back down.
The stage is set for a dramatic and intense fight, with a lot more than just pride on the line.
