Sat Nov 16 03:30:00 UTC 2024: **Mike Tyson Slaps Jake Paul at Weigh-In, Igniting Hype and Controversy Before Netflix Livestream Fight**
ARLINGTON, Texas – The highly anticipated boxing match between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul took an unexpected turn Thursday night when Tyson slapped Paul during the weigh-in at AT&T Stadium. The incident, caught on camera and quickly going viral, fueled excitement for the fight but also sparked debate about its legitimacy.
The unusual matchup, streaming live on Netflix to a potential 280 million viewers, drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 to the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium. The event featured an impressive undercard, including a highly controversial rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, where Serrano’s corner claimed Taylor’s use of headbutts influenced the judges’ decision. Another undercard fight between Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos resulted in a split draw, thrilling fans with its back-and-forth action.
Paul, sporting a reported $1 million diamond-encrusted outfit, seemed unfazed by the slap, even stating in a pre-fight interview that he welcomed the escalation, claiming it made the fight personal. Tyson, fighting professionally for the first time in nearly two decades, appeared ready for the challenge, displaying classic boxing aggression during his ring entrance. The main event itself, however, was subject to some technical difficulties. Viewers reported significant buffering issues with the Netflix stream, while technical difficulties plagued the post-fight interviews.
Despite the pre-fight drama and technical difficulties, the event attracted a star-studded audience including boxing legends Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, and celebrity appearances on the Netflix broadcast added to the spectacle. Grammy Award-winning singer Tori Kelly performed the national anthem. High ticket prices reflected the event’s high demand, with floor seats tripling in price in the days leading up to the event. The fight itself was generating significant betting action, with a large majority of bets placed on Tyson, although significant wagers on Paul indicated a considerable level of confidence from some bettors. Early reports suggest that Jake Paul is expected to earn $40 million, compared to Mike Tyson’s expected $20 million purse.
The fight itself, though described as “beautiful, insane, brilliant, and incredible,” ultimately did little to quell ongoing doubts around the legitimacy of the event, leaving much room for debate beyond the final bell.
First Piper 