The tension reached a boiling point at the weigh-in for Friday’s highly anticipated heavyweight showdown in Texas, as boxing legend Mike Tyson slapped social media star and novice boxer Jake Paul during a heated face-off.
The incident unfolded at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where the 58-year-old Mike Tyson and the 27-year-old Jake Paul are set to clash in a bout that has stirred debate across the boxing world.
Following the weigh-in, which saw Tyson tip the scales at 16st 4lb and Paul just a pound lighter, the two fighters came face-to-face.
Jake Paul crawled theatrically across the stage before rising to Tyson’s eye level, engaging in a tense staredown.
Tyson, who had largely dismissed Paul’s provocations throughout the week, finally snapped, delivering a slap to Paul’s face.
The sudden act prompted security personnel and team members to intervene and separate the fighters.
“Talking’s over,” Tyson declared before storming off the stage.
Paul, unfazed, responded with a grin and proceeded to sit down, appearing to meditate. “I didn’t even feel it. He’s angry. He’s an angry little elf,” Paul quipped.
He went on to taunt the former two-time world champion: “Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re getting knocked out.”