Tensions ran high during Thursday’s weigh-in for the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, culminating in Tyson slapping Paul in the face during their final stare-down according to ESPN.
After Tyson weighed in at 233 pounds, Paul, who tipped the scales at a career-high 220 pounds, approached Tyson aggressively from a crouched stance. Tyson, 58, retaliated with an open-handed slap, prompting security to intervene and separate the two fighters.
A source close to Tyson revealed that Paul deliberately stepped on Tyson’s foot during the stare-down, which provoked the slap. The source added that Tyson had grown increasingly irritated by Paul’s trash talk leading up to the event, and this act was the tipping point.
Following the altercation, Paul addressed the crowd, declaring, “It’s personal now. He must die!” Tyson was escorted off the stage as fans speculated about how this incident might impact Friday night’s bout at AT&T Stadium.
Observers have noted a shift in Tyson’s demeanor over the past week. Once engaging and talkative, the former heavyweight champion appeared more reserved at Wednesday’s press conference and seemed eager to move past the verbal exchanges by Thursday.
The slap has only added fuel to the fire, heightening anticipation for what is shaping up to be a clash of generations between the iconic boxer and the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter.