Viewers have noticed a key detail in Jake Paul's reaction after Mike Tyson brutally slapped him the night before the fight.
The stars are scheduled to fight in the ring on Friday (November 15) in a bout that will be streamed for free on Netflix.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will face each other in the ring on Friday (November 15). Credit: Getty Images / Getty
Before the highly anticipated showdown, Tyson and Paul faced off at a weigh-in at the Toyota Music Factory in Texas.
Things turned physical very quickly as the 58-year-old savagely slapped the YouTuber across the face after he spotted Paul crawling on all fours before popping up in front of him.
Security immediately stepped in to separate the two of them and the 27-year-old blew kisses at Tyson and appeared to tell the crowd that it "didn't hurt".
Tyson slapped Paul around the face following their weigh-in. Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Now, as the viral clip is circulating on social media, a slow-motion edit of the moment has left people suspecting that the stunt could have been orchestrated.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) speculated: "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."
One user agreed with the OP's tweet, and responded: "Looks like there was barely any strength in it as well."
Watch the video below:However, others suggested that the brutal blow happened as a result of the social media star stepping on Tyson's toe.
"Jake stepped on his toes that’s why Mike slapped him take a look," a viewer said. "You can't see there, but Jake stood on his socked toe. Mike reacted," another echoed.
The professional boxer, who competed from 1985 to 2005, confirmed this reason moments after the weigh-in, telling 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," he continued. "I was in a lot of pain. I had to reciprocate."
Meanwhile, Paul reflected on being at the receiving end of a fierce right-handed slap and quipped: "Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you're getting knocked out," per Talk Sport.
He also labeled his opponent as an "angry little elf" and insisted that he "didn't even feel" the slap.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul had to be separated by security and MVP promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian during the weigh-ins. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
Tyson will have the chance to go full throttle at Paul over eight rounds with each round lasting two minutes.
Ahead of the boxing match, Tyson weighed in at 16st 4lbs while Paul measured at a pound lighter at 16st 3lbs.