Arlington, Texas: The buildup to Friday’s much-discussed fight between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul took an unexpected turn on Thursday, when Tyson delivered an open-handed slap to Paul during the final staredown. The incident, which took place after the official weigh-in at AT&T Stadium, quickly went viral, adding fuel to an already divisive event.
Key Moments from the Final Face-Off:
- Tyson’s Open-Handed Slap: Tyson, 58, landed a firm slap on Paul’s cheek, sparking immediate intervention by security personnel. The two fighters were separated, and Tyson quickly exited the stage, saying only, “Talking’s over.”
- Weigh-In Stats: Tyson weighed in at 228.4 pounds, appearing in Versace briefs, while Paul, 27, tipped the scales at 227.2 pounds. Both fighters displayed intense focus, with Tyson remaining largely silent while Paul responded with taunts.
- Paul’s Retort: Unshaken by the slap, Paul addressed Tyson’s reaction with a mocking statement, calling him an “angry little elf” and promising an intense showdown in the ring.
- Fight Format and Pay: Tyson is reportedly set to earn $20 million for this eight-round, two-minute-per-round fight, which will be streamed live on Netflix.
Mixed Reactions Across the Boxing World
The event has sparked wide debate among boxing enthusiasts, with some eager to see Tyson back in the ring, while others criticize the fight, pointing to Tyson’s age and the spectacle nature of the matchup. Tyson, who debuted professionally nearly 40 years ago and last fought in an officially sanctioned match 19 years ago, continues to be a polarizing figure in the sport.
With emotions high and stakes higher, fans are now eagerly anticipating the outcome of Friday’s bout, which promises to be as unpredictable as the buildup has been.
