In the buildup to the heavyweight clash, Jake Paul had played his part as a provocateur pretty well but as he stood next to Mike Tyson for a final stare-down moment, he crossed the limit, literally. He stepped on Tyson's toes, and got a great preview of ' the devil' he would be fighting at the AT&T Arena in Texas. Tyson slapped him straight in his face, prompting an immediate response from the security team that separated the two men.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul: Everything You Need to Know About The Fight
"I was in my socks and he had on shoes," Tyson told The Post. "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," he added.
Paul, the Youtuber-turned-prizefighter, was furious after being slapped, but he decided not to retaliate against Tyson there, but wait for the fight night. "He hits like a bitch … He must die. I didn't even feel it. He's angry. He's an angry little elf," Paul said of the slap. “Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you're getting knocked out," he added.
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Paul has been at his unapologetic best in the buildup to the fight, making controversial comments to ignite a response from Tyson, but in vain. The 58-year-old boxer has steered clear of the trash-talking so far. Although not many are sure of what to expect from a fight where the age difference between two combatants is 31 years. If Tyson's workout video is anything to go by, it seems he's up for the challenge.
Paul, meanwhile, is confident of his success. The notorious fighter boasts a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts. Although there has been a lot of criticism over his decision to fight against Tyson, who's old and fragile and afflicted with ulcers and sciatica, Paul has remained steadfast in his stance.
"I fear no man," Paul said. "I want him to be that old savage Mike. He says he's going to kill me. I'm ready. I want that killer. I want the hardest match possible Friday night, and I want there to be no excuses from everyone at home when I knock him out."
