Featured Image Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Topics: Boxing, Celebrity, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Sport
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Boxing, Celebrity, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Sport
People have been asking the same question after Mike Tyson slapped Jake Paul on stage.
For any boxing fans out there, you'll know that it's part and parcel of the build-up to a big fight that the two main competitors have numerous verbal sparring matches before the big night - we all remember Tyson Fury calling Deontay Wilder a 'big bum dosser', right?
But things turned physical between boxing legend Tyson and underdog Paul at last night's weigh-in (November 14) when the 58-year-old gifted the YouTuber with a slap across the face.
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Speaking afterwards, Paul, 27, said: "Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you're getting knocked out."
He also labeled his opponent as an 'angry little elf' and insisted that he 'didn't even feel' the brutal blow.
Now, as the clip of the savage moment between the two boxers is being widely distributed online, a slow-motion edit of the viral clip has left people speculating that it could have been staged.
Someone wrote on Twitter: "Should we take this slap serious at all? I mean Mike just arm slapped him and twisted his whole neck. Jake played it off but he got rocked."
"Looks like there was barely any strength in it as well," replied one person.
"Totally set up," another suggested, as someone else claimed it was 'staged'.
But others suggested that the slap was very much real and happened as a result of Paul stepping on Tyson's toe.
"Everyone is missing that Jake stepped on his foot. So Mike slapped the soul out of him," one sports fan wrote.
Another person insisted: "Jake stepped on his toes that’s why mike slapped him take a look."
And one user said ahead of tonight's big fight: "That’s what he got for barely stepping on his toe. Imagine what Mike will do when Jake hits him."
Fans have paid a small fortune to attend tonight's match in Texas, USA, with some reportedly having shelled out as much as $2 million for a VIP ticket.
You get what you pay for with the expensive ticket, however.
Apparently some VIP packages include seating in a specialty-built ringside suite, as well as a personal green room.
Those lucky enough to be able to afford such a ticket also get pictures with the fighters, a locker room visit, and a post-fight picture opportunity in the ring.
On top of that, you've got the option for a car service and security, while your stay in Texas will also be covered with a two-night Loews hotel suite.
Viewers can tune in live to watch the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson match on Netflix on November 15. Their bout is scheduled to begin at 8 pm ET, 7 pm CT, 5 pm PT, and 1 am GMT.
Don't have Netflix? Don't panic: Verizon customers can get a free year of Netflix Premium when they bundle it with another subscription through Verizon's +play platform. Partnering services include Paramount+, NBA League Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.