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Mike Tyson took a swing at his upcoming opponent, Jake Paul, striking the social media influencer-turned-boxer during Thursday’s weigh-in in Arlington, Texas.
The 58-year-old former heavyweight champion, famously dubbed the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” is stepping back into the ring for the first time in 19 years. He faces the brash 27-year-old Paul in a highly anticipated showdown at AT&T Stadium on Friday.
Tensions boiled over as Tyson, weighing in at 228.4 pounds, confronted Paul, slapping him across the face before delivering a sharp, two-word message on live television: “Talking’s over.” He then left the stage without further comment.
Paul, a YouTube star who transitioned to boxing four years ago, was less reserved. In response, he unleashed a profanity-laced tirade, vowing to dismantle Tyson in the ring. Despite Tyson’s legendary 50-6 record, including 44 knockouts, Paul seemed unfazed by the veteran’s intimidating reputation.
“He’s angry, he’s an angry little elf,” said Paul, who weighed in at 227.2 pounds. “It’s personal now – he must die!”
The fight is the first live boxing match that Netflix has aired, as the streamer with more than 280 million subscribers makes inroads into the sports arena.
The match has drawn extraordinary global interest but also criticism, with British promoter Eddie Hearn dismissing the bout as “dangerous, irresponsible and disrespectful to boxing.”
‘This is a different trophy compared to all our other events.
