Tensions flared ahead of the highly-anticipated fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, as the weigh-in on Thursday turned physical. The clash, held at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, gave fans a preview of the drama expected during Friday’s bout.
Mike Tyson, once the youngest heavyweight champion in history, last fought professionally in 2005 against Kevin McBride, retiring after the sixth round. Though his competitive career ended nearly two decades ago, Tyson returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw. Known for his ferocious style and intimidating presence, Tyson remains a symbol of boxing dominance.
On the other hand, Jake Paul, a social media star turned boxer, has carved out his niche by taking on both retired athletes and fellow influencers in high-profile bouts. While some question his boxing credibility, Paul has built a reputation for stirring controversy and drawing massive audiences.
Both fighters stepped on the scales during the live broadcast, with Jake Paul weighing in at 227 pounds and Mike Tyson at 228.4 pounds. After stepping off the scale, Tyson approached Paul for the traditional face-off. However, the encounter quickly escalated when Paul crawled toward Tyson, seemingly provoking him.
An upset Tyson responded by slapping Paul, prompting security to step in and separate the two fighters. Paul appeared unfazed, blowing kisses at Tyson, laughing, and clapping. “I didn’t even feel it,” Paul said mockingly. “He’s angry. He’s an angry little elf. I thought that was a cute slap.”
The question is: Who do you think will win?
Tyson, clearly not amused, declared, “Talking is over,” while Paul added fuel to the fire, stating, “It’s personal now.”
The much-awaited Tyson vs. Paul fight will stream exclusively on Netflix on Friday, with the main card starting at 8 p.m. ET. Fans are eagerly speculating about the outcome of this explosive matchup.