Mike Tyson has admitted that his slap on rival Jake Paul has left him “in a lot of pain” just hours before the fight.
Following weigh-ins, Tyson and Paul faced off for the final time before they get in the ring together in a fiery stare-down. The two boxers were quickly separated after Tyson slapped Paul across the face. The 27-year-old jolted slightly, and then continued to taunt Tyson, showing off how he didn’t feel a thing from the hit.
Before the two locked eyes, Paul could be seen crawling up the stage, eventually rising up to meet the gaze of ‘Iron Mike.’ Many had assumed that this gibing was the reason for the slap, however, Tyson has now explained that the truth was more hurtful than that.
He told the New York Post : “I was in my socks and he had on shoes, he stepped on my toe because he is a f***ing a***hole. 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.”
Although an injured toe can be a nuisance in a sport that requires so much feet movement, Tyson has fought through injuries before – much worse ones as well.
(Image: Getty Images)
‘Iron Mike’ claimed to have famously knocked out Clifford Eitenne in 49 seconds whilst having a broken back. He said at the time: “I broke my back. I don’t even know how I’m standing. It’s a miracle.
“The doctor took me to the pain centre and I wasn’t supposed to fight, but what am I supposed to do. I’m going to take care of my family.”
Following the slap from Tyson, Paul responded with: “He hits like a b**** … he must die.”
Even though the fight has been built up over many months, it seems to have gotten much more fiery over the last couple of days between both opponents. Now the talking is done, it’s all about the fight tonight.
The undercards get underway at 1am UK time Saturday morning, with the main card expected to start at 4am.