Mike Tyson turned nasty as the heavyweight legend finally snapped 24 hours before he takes on Jake Paul in his first professional fight for almost 20 years
Mike Tyson refused to explain why he slapped Jake Paul during their face-off – but warned his rival he is “ready”.
Heavyweight legend Tyson appeared to take offence to Paul crawling towards him and then springing up in his face as the pair faced off after weighing in. Tyson slapped Paul before security guards and members of the fighters’ respective teams waded in to separate the warring duo.
After calm was restored, Tyson said simply: “I’m ready” before declining to explain his actions. Paul, meanwhile, said: “I didn’t even feel it, 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***ing him up, Ariel, I’m f***ing him up. He hits like a b****… It’s personal now, it’s personal now. He must die!”
Tyson had cut a reserved figure all week and barely said a word at Wednesday’s press conference but burst into life after stepping on the scales last night. He scaled 228.4lb, six pounds heavier than Paul who has bulked up from the cruiserweight limit of 200lb since he knocked out Mike Perry inside six rounds in July.
Paul has won 10 of his 11 professional fights with his sole loss coming against Tommy Fury last year. He has padded his record with wins over former MMA fighters including Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz. He also knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson on the undercard of Tyson’s last outing; his bore draw with Roy Jones Jr in their exhibition fight in 2020.
This fight, which was pushed back from July, will count on Tyson’s professional record, but will only consist of eight two-minute rounds and 14oz gloves will be used rather than the traditional 10oz. At the press conference earlier this week, Tyson said: “Well, erm. The people (here) speak for itself. I don’t have to answer.” when asked to respond to those who have dismissed the contest.
Quizzed on what a loss would do to him, ‘Iron Mike’ showed a flicker of his old self. “I’m not going to lose,” Tyson snapped back. “I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?” Given the considerable age gap between the fighters, Paul, 27, has been installed as the favourite. But Tyson said: “Thank you. Hey, I’m fine with everything, I’m fine with everything.
“I am just interested in this fight here. I am not talking about fighting anybody, only Jake.” Tyson had been happy to trash talk in the build-up and claimed Paul was a “manufactured killer” in comparison to himself being a “natural-born killer”, but cut a tired figure in the penultimate media activity of fight week. “Yeah that’s what I said, that’s what I said,” Tyson reflected.