IRVING, Texas – Any lingering doubts about the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout being legitimate have been obliterated. Tensions boiled over Thursday night when Mike Tyson delivered an open-handed slap to Jake Paul during their final pre-fight faceoff.
The clash came moments after the weigh-in, where Tyson, the former heavyweight champion, tipped the scales at 228.4 pounds, just slightly above Paul’s 227.2. Following the weigh-in, the two fighters faced off at Toyota Music Factory, and things quickly escalated when Paul moved provocatively close to Tyson.
The Slap Heard Around the Arena
Tyson’s response was swift and decisive—a slap that stunned the crowd. Paul, to his credit, absorbed the hit without flinching as security stepped in to separate the fighters.
After the incident, Tyson made a terse statement to Ariel Helwani, declaring, “All the talk is over,” before storming off. Paul, never one to shy away from theatrics, shot back with,
“He must die”
The dramatic moment marked the peak of what had been a surprisingly subdued build-up from Tyson. Known for his calm demeanor in recent appearances, Tyson’s sudden display of aggression took everyone by surprise.
An Uncharacteristic Turn for Tyson
Paul has consistently been the provocateur, taunting Tyson and even labeling him “boring” during Wednesday’s press conference. Despite these jabs, Tyson maintained a low profile, refusing to engage in verbal sparring.
However, Thursday night’s incident flipped the narrative entirely. Tyson’s slap added an electrifying layer of tension to the highly anticipated fight, set to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and streamed globally on Netflix.
Final Countdown to a Historic Clash
This unexpected confrontation has only heightened the excitement surrounding Friday night’s event. Fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to see if Tyson’s in-ring performance will match the intensity of his final faceoff with Paul.
