Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, 58, slapped YouTube star and professional boxer Jake Paul, 27, during a heated face-off at their final weigh-in in Dallas, Texas.
The unexpected altercation heightened anticipation for their controversial boxing match scheduled for Friday, November 15, at AT&T Stadium, which will stream live on Netflix.
As the two fighters stood on stage, tensions quickly escalated when Tyson struck Paul. Security personnel intervened to separate them as the crowd reacted with a mix of cheers and jeers. When host Ariel Helwani attempted to question Tyson about the incident, the boxing legend tersely replied, "Talking's over," refusing to elaborate further.
Jake Paul responded defiantly, saying, "I didn't even feel it. He's angry. He's an angry little elf. Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, but tomorrow night I'm knocking you out. He hits like a [expletive], it's personal now, he must die!"
Paul enters the bout with a professional record of 10-1, including seven knockouts, having defeated several mixed martial arts fighters and lesser-known boxers. His sole loss was a points decision against Tommy Fury in 2023. Tyson, meanwhile, is returning to professional boxing for the first time since 2005, although he participated in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
The weigh-in incident, captured in a video sourced from TMZ and Backgrid, has intensified discussions about the legitimacy and safety of the match. Critics have expressed concern over the age gap and the physical risks involved. The fight at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, is expected to draw significant viewership due to the high-profile nature of both participants.
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