Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Boxing, Boxing News
Jack Kenmare
Mike Tyson has explained why he "had to reciprocate" and slap Jake Paul across the face as the pair went face-to-face in a heated final staredown ahead of Friday's heavyweight bout.
Things kicked off at the ceremonial weigh-ins on Thursday night, when security had to step in after Tyson landed a clean shot on Paul.
Ahead of the final weigh-ins, Tyson has been relatively calm about the upcoming event. Paul has tried on multiple occasions to get in his head, and even accused his opponent of being "f***** boring" in the build-up.
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But on Thursday night, at the Toyota Music Factory in Texas, the former heavyweight champion appeared to snap, despite a lack of eye contact throughout the event.
As you can see in the footage below, Paul 'accidentally' stepped on Tyson's foot, which brought a furious reaction from the 58-year-old.
Speaking after the incident, Tyson explained: "I was in my socks and he had on shoes. He stepped on my toe because he’s a f****** a******. I wanted to think it happened by accident. But now I think it may have happened on purpose. I was in a lot of pain, I had to reciprocate."
When asked how it felt to be slapped by Tyson, Paul replied: "I didn’t even feel it. He’s angry, he’s an angry little elf."
He added: "Mike Tyson, that was a cute slap buddy but tomorrow you’re getting knocked the f*** out. I’m f*****g him up, I’m f*****g him up! He hits like a b***. It’s personal now, it’s personal now! He must die!"
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Tyson, who last fought in 2020 during an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, has previously admitted to having "the worst feet in the world" as he spoke about the idea of becoming an MMA fighter.
“I don’t know what I would do in the UFC because I watched the UFC a couple of times, and I watched these guys step on people’s feet,” Tyson told GQ Sports in 2019.
“I have the worst feet in the world. And if somebody steps on my feet, I would totally tap out. I would just give up, it would be a no-brainer.”
Tyson vs Paul is set to begin at 8pm eastern time (ET) on Friday, which is 1am GMT on Saturday for UK viewers.
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The undercard, which will be streamed globally on Netflix, will feature a handful of must-watch fights. Mario Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against Abel Ramos, while Bruce Carrington takes on Dana Coolwell at featherweight.
Perhaps the most anticipated clash is the rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano – two years after their bout at Madison Square Garden, when Taylor came out on top via split decision.