Jake Paul and Mike Tyson engaged in a chaotic news conference in Texas that left fans bewildered. As the former world heavyweight champion, Tyson, 58, prepares to step into the ring against the 27-year-old YouTube star Paul, the atmosphere was far from typical.
While Tyson remained muted, Paul dominated the discussion, even invoking Tyson’s past by referencing a documentary where Tyson called himself a “natural born killer.” Tyson’s indifferent response, “That’s what I said,” did little to escalate the tension.
The event became even more chaotic with British ex-boxer Tony Bellew being ejected by security after shouting into a mic from the press area, which added to the mayhem surrounding what many viewed as a farce for professional boxing. Despite this, the presence of elite fighters Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano lent some respectability to the event, as they are set to compete in what is expected to be a historic matchup.
Approximately 70,000 fans are anticipated for Friday's fight, which will be broadcast live via Netflix. During the press conference, Paul was met with jeers, sporting a diamond-studded ear cover—a nod to Tyson’s infamous bite on Evander Holyfield’s ear during a match in 1997.
Though Paul attempted to spark controversy with remarks like calling Tyson's comments "cute," Tyson seemed either uninterested or simply ignored the provocations.
When questioned about the possibility of losing to Paul, Tyson responded firmly, "I am not going to lose, did you hear what I said?" This display promised to intensify anticipation for the fight, underscoring Tyson’s competitive spirit.
In one of Paul’s many moments trying to draw attention, he proposed bets on the fight to others present at the conference, including Taylor, who suggested he wager his entire purse. With an expected earnings of approximately $40 million, the stakes are certainly high, albeit wrapped in a sense of spectacle.
As the chaotic press conference came to an end without traditional fireworks during the final face-off, it highlighted the unusual path boxing has taken, blending entertainment with the sport’s legacy as Paul and Tyson prepare to clash.
While Tyson remained muted, Paul dominated the discussion, even invoking Tyson’s past by referencing a documentary where Tyson called himself a “natural born killer.” Tyson’s indifferent response, “That’s what I said,” did little to escalate the tension.
The event became even more chaotic with British ex-boxer Tony Bellew being ejected by security after shouting into a mic from the press area, which added to the mayhem surrounding what many viewed as a farce for professional boxing. Despite this, the presence of elite fighters Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano lent some respectability to the event, as they are set to compete in what is expected to be a historic matchup.
Approximately 70,000 fans are anticipated for Friday's fight, which will be broadcast live via Netflix. During the press conference, Paul was met with jeers, sporting a diamond-studded ear cover—a nod to Tyson’s infamous bite on Evander Holyfield’s ear during a match in 1997.
Though Paul attempted to spark controversy with remarks like calling Tyson's comments "cute," Tyson seemed either uninterested or simply ignored the provocations.
When questioned about the possibility of losing to Paul, Tyson responded firmly, "I am not going to lose, did you hear what I said?" This display promised to intensify anticipation for the fight, underscoring Tyson’s competitive spirit.
In one of Paul’s many moments trying to draw attention, he proposed bets on the fight to others present at the conference, including Taylor, who suggested he wager his entire purse. With an expected earnings of approximately $40 million, the stakes are certainly high, albeit wrapped in a sense of spectacle.
As the chaotic press conference came to an end without traditional fireworks during the final face-off, it highlighted the unusual path boxing has taken, blending entertainment with the sport’s legacy as Paul and Tyson prepare to clash.
