Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson slapped opponent Jake Paul as the 2 males confronted off for the ultimate time on Thursday forward of their controversial Netflix-backed bout.
Tyson, 58, hit Paul flush on the cheek together with his proper hand following the formal weigh-in for Friday’s battle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
A scrum of safety swiftly intervened to separate the 2 fighters following the incident earlier than Tyson was ushered away.
Tyson, who weighed in at 228.4 kilos after stepping onto the scales sporting solely a pair of Versace briefs, barely spoke earlier than leaving the stage.
“Speaking’s over,” Tyson mentioned earlier than making his exit with members of his entourage.
Paul, the 27-year-old Youtuber-turned-boxer, insisted he had not been harm by Tyson’s open-handed slap, which drew gasps from the viewers.
“I didn’t even really feel it — he’s offended. He’s an offended little elf…cute slap buddy,” mentioned Paul, who weighed in at 227.2 kilos.
Paul concluded his remarks with an expletive-laden pledge to knock Tyson out, earlier than roaring theatrically right into a microphone: “He should die.”
Tyson is reportedly being paid $20 million for Friday’s formally sanctioned bout in Texas, which will likely be comprised of eight two-minute rounds.
The competition, being streamed reside on Netflix, has divided opinion throughout the boxing world, with many outstanding figures decrying the prospect of Tyson lacing up his gloves almost 40 years after his skilled debut and 19 years after his final formally sanctioned battle.
