Viewers spot the 'real reason' Mike Tyson lashed out and slapped Jake Paul at weigh-in

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By Kim Novak

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Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are set to face off in the ring on Friday night, and it looks set to be a tense affair if their behavior at the weigh-in is anything to go by.

The pair's long-awaited fight will take place on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas and will be streamed for free on Netflix.

Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27, came face to face at the weigh-in on Thursday night, where the former world heavyweight champion shocked onlookers after he slapped the YouTuber around the face.

And eagle-eyed viewers think they have spotted the reason why.

GettyImages-2184084168.jpgTyson slapped Paul around the face following their weigh-in. Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Paul was filmed crawling his way over to Tyson on all fours before popping up in front of him when Tyson then quickly reached over and slapped him across his left cheek.

Security immediately stepped in to separate the two of them and Paul blew kisses at Tyson and appeared to tell the crowd that it "didn't hurt".

When asked why he slapped Paul, Tyson responded: "Talk is over."

Paul then switched from laughing to telling the crowd: "I didn’t even feel it. He’s angry, he’s an angry little elf.

"Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap buddy, but tomorrow you’re gonna get knocked the f**k out. I’m f**king him up, I’m f**king him up. He hits like a b***h."

He then warned: "It’s personal now. It’s personal now. He must die."

Some eagle-eyed viewers spotted one reason why the heavyweight star may have flipped out at Paul, as another angle on the scene showed the YouTuber appearing to step on Tyson's toe.

Fans took to Twitter (now known as X) to share clips and their thoughts on the matter.

One commented: "I think Jake Paul really do deserve to be slapped. How can you be so disrespectful to the extent of stepping on Mike Tyson's toe?. He's old enough to be your father ffs."

Another added: "idc what anyone says but this is not scripted jake paul clearly stepped on mike Tyson's toe that's why mike slapped him and pointed to his shoes."

See the moment below:

Tyson had previously opened up about having the "worst feet in the world" and how he'd "tap out" and "give up" if someone trod on his toes.

The former world heavyweight champion later revealed that viewers were correct and the slap was a result of Paul stepping on his toe in trainers, while he only had socks on.

He told 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."

A representative for Tyson, who is regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time, claimed that the reason for it was also that Paul had been "baiting" his opponent for so long.

He told the outlet: "Jake has been poking the bear the whole time. Mike slapped the s**t out of him."

GettyImages-2184679820.jpgThe long-awaited bout will be streamed for free on Netflix. Credit: Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

People are set to tune in to the fight - which is being streamed for free on Netflix rather than Pay Per View - to see the pair battle it out in the ring.

While Tyson's record speaks for itself, Paul has the benefit of youth on his side, as he is 31 years younger.

Despite the huge age gap, Tyson made his feelings on Paul known, previously saying: "He’s more of a clown than an entertainer. He’s a clown. He needs to stop playing."

GettyImages-2184879599.jpgPaul has the benefit of youth on his side, while Tyson is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Tyson, who last fought in an official professional match 19 years ago, added that he isn't worried about Paul being so much younger than him, explaining: "I don’t worry about anything but winning."

Paul vs. Tyson will be streamed live on Netflix on November 15.

Featured image credit: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images