Mike Tyson Slaps Jake Paul at Final Weigh-in: Why Tyson Claims He Did It
The Incident
A meeting between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul briefly devolved into chaos on Thursday after Tyson slapped Paul across the face during the final weigh-in before their highly anticipated fight on Friday. The incident, which took place at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, prompted dozens of crew members and fight officials to intervene, video shows.
Moments After the Slap
Moments later, Tyson offered only a few words on his attack on Paul: “Talking’s over.” Paul was also seen adopting a meditative pose after the slap, sitting cross-legged on the stage. “I didn’t even feel it,” Paul later said. “He’s angry. He’s a [sic] angry little elf. Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re gonna get knocked the f— out.”
Tyson’s Reason for the Slap
Speaking with the New York Post after the scuffle, Tyson claimed he slapped his opponent because Paul had stepped on his foot, possibly intentionally, according to Tyson. “I was in a lot of pain. I had to reciprocate,” said Tyson, who pointed out that he was wearing socks while Paul was wearing shoes. Tom Patti, a friend of Tyson’s, gave the same story to USA Today Sports and also pointed to an alleged lack of respect on Paul’s part.
The Build-up to the Fight
Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27, are scheduled to face off Friday in a matchup that will mark the former’s first sanctioned professional fight in almost 20 years. A crowd of at least 60,000 is expected to watch the fight live at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Netflix is also making the fight available to subscribers.
Other Notable Fights on the Card
Friday’s fight card also includes a bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, both of whom were also at Thursday’s weigh-in. Their meeting took an altogether different tone, however. “This is the defining moment for all women in boxing,” Serrano said after their weigh-ins. “I couldn’t ask for a better dance partner than Katie Taylor to showcase great women’s boxing, and I’m just happy to be here, super honored, and I just can’t wait to go out there and throw my hands,” she added, laughing.
Conclusion
The highly anticipated fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is just around the corner, and the tension is palpable. With Tyson claiming that Paul stepped on his foot, leading to the slap, it seems that the fight is not just about the boxing, but also about respect and revenge. Will Tyson be able to take down Paul in the ring, or will Paul prove to be more than a match for the former boxing champion?
FAQs
Q: Why did Mike Tyson slap Jake Paul?
A: Tyson claims that Paul stepped on his foot, possibly intentionally, leading to the slap.
Q: How did Jake Paul react to the slap?
A: Paul said that he didn’t even feel the slap and that Tyson is just an “angry little elf.”
Q: What is the background of the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul?
A: Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27, are scheduled to face off in a matchup that will mark the former’s first sanctioned professional fight in almost 20 years.
