During the final weigh-in for their highly anticipated boxing match, Mike Tyson slaps Jake Paul after Paul entered his personal space and allegedly stepped on his foot. The altercation has heightened excitement and betting activity for their Friday night bout at AT&T Stadium, where fans and sportsbooks are eagerly anticipating the generational clash.
In a highly charged moment on Thursday, boxing legend Mike Tyson slapped Jake Paul during their final face-off before Friday night’s fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Tyson, 58, who weighed in at 233 pounds, had promised that “the devil himself” would appear on fight night, and he gave Paul a taste of that fury during their stare-down. As Paul, who weighed a career-high 220 pounds, moved aggressively toward Tyson in a crouched stance, the former heavyweight champion responded with an open-handed slap that caught Paul square on the face.
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Tension Builds After Mike Tyson Slaps Jake Paul
Security quickly intervened to separate the two fighters, but Paul, unfazed, played to the crowd, laughing and taunting Tyson. A source close to Tyson told ESPN that the slap was a reaction to Paul “purposefully” stepping on Tyson’s foot during the stare-down—a final straw after Paul’s relentless trash-talking leading up to the bout. Tyson, who had been unusually quiet at the previous press conference, seemed visibly agitated and ready to bring that energy to the ring.
Anticipation Peaks for Tyson-Paul Showdown
The physical altercation has only fueled excitement for the generational face-off between Tyson and Paul, as fans eagerly await the outcome of this unique matchup. With odds shifting in Tyson’s favor throughout the week, the betting landscape reveals an overwhelming public interest in the fight. According to ESPN BET, over 90% of the wagers placed have favored Tyson, although Paul remains the -225 favorite with Tyson currently listed at +175.
Despite Tyson being the underdog, his popularity among bettors is notable. Some sportsbooks report that interest in this fight is rivaling the levels seen in historic matches such as the 2017 Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather bout, making it one of the most heavily bet boxing events in recent years.
Heavy Bets Fuel High Stakes: Paul Still Attracting Big Money
While Tyson is garnering most of the smaller bets, the larger, six-figure wagers are backing Paul. Caesars Sportsbook reported a $1 million bet placed on Paul at -220 odds by a Michigan bettor, which could yield a net win of $454,000. DraftKings has also seen considerable action, with two $500,000 bets on Paul to win. This high-stakes betting dynamic shows the divide in public sentiment versus high-roller confidence, as many fans bet small on Tyson’s potential knockout power, while seasoned bettors favor Paul’s youth and recent experience in the ring.
Popular Prop Bets Focus on Tyson’s Power
The most popular prop bets, according to DraftKings, involve Tyson winning in the first round, with action on this bet causing a shift in odds from 22-1 to 12-1. Although Tyson hasn’t fought professionally in almost 20 years, many fans are banking on his explosive power to quickly overwhelm the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter. Meanwhile, Paul’s reputation as a formidable social media influencer with a 10-1 boxing record has drawn younger fans and bettors who see potential in his strategic prowess.
Sanctioning Challenges and Restricted Betting Access
Interestingly, not all U.S. states are allowing bets on the Tyson-Paul fight, with places like New York, Colorado, and Pennsylvania abstaining for regulatory reasons. However, in states where betting is permitted, the excitement and the high volume of wagers have caught even sportsbook managers off-guard. According to Andrew Babakitis, a risk manager at the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, “It almost feels like a joke, but it’s not. There’s some serious money on this thing.”
As the Tyson-Paul bout draws near, betting interest continues to surge. With sportsbooks in 38 states and Washington, D.C., Avello of DraftKings predicts the fight could surpass records for online boxing wagers. The eight-round showdown is expected to be a clash of styles, with Tyson’s experience and power facing off against Paul’s youth and agility. This iconic fight will be broadcast on Netflix, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated events in recent boxing history.
