Mike Tyson made a very strange claim during a press conference to promote his fight with Jake Paul.
Former world champion Tyson, who was the first heavyweight to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, is set to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in a boxing match on July 20.
It’s a fight that has garnered much attention and controversy, with Tyson turning 58 three weeks before facing his 27-year-old opponent.
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On Thursday, the pair traded insults and expletives in Texas at a press conference to promote their bout, and it quickly took a bizarre turn.
Paul initially said he wanted to “kiss Mike's big juicy lips,” a peculiar taunt that prompted an even more staggering response.
Tyson said: “He wanted to kiss me?
“That's so ironic that he said that because I saw pictures of him dancing at 16, doing that little dance on YouTube and for some reason I had an erection.”
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While Paul was unmoved by the claim, it prompted a lukewarm reaction from the press conference audience.
Elsewhere, Paul, who has ten professional fights to his name, largely against former UFC fighters, continued to downplay the suggestion that he still hasn’t had a legitimate opponent.
Meanwhile, Tyson refused to answer questions about his age.
“I don't see too many people critical about it. Look at this,” Tyson said, pointing to the raucous crowd at an entertainment venue near the site of the fight.
When a reporter suggested there were critics, Tyson said, “Who? Name me somebody. You? Who?”
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The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned the fight as a professional bout.
However, it will only feature eight two-minute rounds rather than the traditional 10 or 12 rounds lasting three minutes each.
The gloves will also be heavier (14 ounces instead of 10) in a bid to reduce the power of punches.
Topics: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Boxing
Chris Byfield