Mike Tyson Slaps YouTuber Jake Paul During Intense Final Staredown, Video Goes Viral

In a striking turn of events, retired heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson had an altercation with Jake Paul and slapped him across the face as the two faced each other for the last time on Thursday, a few days before their much-expected fight supported by Netflix. The 58-year-old Tyson hit Paul on his face with his right hand after the announcement of the fight’s official weigh-in, which is taking place on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The two fighters were immediately separated with the aid of security, who quickly removed Tyson from the situation.

Tyson, who tipped the scales at 228.4 pounds while wearing only a pair of Versace briefs, said little before quickly exiting the stage.

“Taking’s over,” Tyson said before making his exit with members of his entourage.

Paul, the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, claimed he wasn’t injured by Tyson’s open-handed slap, which elicited gasps from the crowd.

“I didn’t even feel it– he’s angry. He’s an angry little elf…cute slap buddy,” said Paul, weighted in 227.2 pounds. 

Paul wrapped up his comments with a profanity-filled promise to knock Tyson out, then dramatically shouted into the microphone, "He must die."

Tyson is said to be getting $20 million for Friday's official fight in Texas. The fight will consist of eight two-minute rounds, all placed in a ring.

The fight has been organized for the audiences through a live streaming service Netflix, however, the boxing fraternity has received the news with a lot of animosity, particularly the idea that Tyson will be wearing gloves about 40 years after the first fight that he engaged in and 19 years since his last professional fight.