‘That’s that dog in him’

Retired British boxer and talkSPORT host Spencer Oliver believes that Mike Tyson’s slap on Jake Paul shows he is on edge and ready to go.

Tyson had to be pulled away from Paul after landing a strong hit on his opponent’s chin at the weigh-in.

You can read the 58-year-old’s reasoning for his outburst in the blog post below, but Oliver has now given his thoughts.

And he thinks it’s a major positive sign for ‘Iron Mike’…

“I thought Mike Tyson was menacing there,” Oliver told talkSPORT in Dallas. “We saw a little bit of the Mike Tyson of old.

“He’s got himself in incredible condition. You saw the shape he was in, it was brilliant.

“The slap? It’s in him. That’s that dog in him. Reality has kicked in now. Once you get off those scales, it’s real.

“For Tyson, there’s a switch. Once that switch goes, that’s what you get.”

Wild scenes

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul exploded into life at Thursday night’s weigh-in as the YouTuber was slapped in the face by the boxing legend.

The pair came face-to-face in Texas but had to be separated by security as Tyson clapped Paul on the chin.

“Talking’s over,” Tyson said, before walking off stage.

Paul responded: “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 getting knocked out.”

‘Iron Mike’ has since explained exactly why he gave his rival a smack…

Age is just a number

Despite the worries over the difference in age between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, there are still plenty who are backing the legend.

Tyson Fury is backing ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ while his former rival Lennox Lewis and Roy Jones Jr are too.

Fury said: “If Mike Tyson hits anybody, I don’t care if he’s 90, he’s going to knock them out cold isn’t he? He’s Iron Mike Tyson.

“Jake Paul is very experienced now and he’s had a lot of fights but obviously, I have to back Mike Tyson for the knockout as he always backs me.”

Lewis has the same opinion, saying: “Mike Tyson’s gonna win. He’s not that old. Don’t take him too softly. We’re one year apart.

“You can fight somebody like that and do well, because the person you’re fighting is not a true fighter and there’s a hundred things that you’ve forgotten that he’s learning.”

And Jones Jr. told talkSPORT: “Well, I like Mike, probably by decision. But if he chooses to go out and take him out, I think he can.

“I don’t fear for Mike and how old he is. Mike is still hard to hit and Mike still hits hard as hell.”

Strong prediction

KSI has weighed in on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul.

And it’s clear to see how he thinks the fight is going to go…

The influencer boxer has been very vocal of his dislike for Paul and the pair have been bitter rivals for years.

But KSI has predicted the social media sensation to knock Tyson out on Friday night in Texas.

He posted on X: “Jake Paul will knock out Mike Tyson. This will not be close at all. Boxing is a young man’s game and Mike is 58 years old.

“They’re sending a lamb to the slight and it’s disgusting.”

KSI has not held back in his assessment of the bout, having the same view as many others when it comes to their age gap.

It is the reason why the fight has been so controversial but it isn’t going to stop Tyson from stepping into the ring.

‘What do I care about my legacy?’

Mike Tyson is not worried about his incredible boxing legacy being damaged by fighting Jake Paul on Friday night.

Tyson is one of the sport’s greatest ever but he’s now stepping into the ring with a social media star with the result counting on his professional record.

So, he may taste defeat for only the seventh time in his career to a YouTuber-turned-boxer and that would surely tarnish his reputation.

But ‘Iron Mike’ isn’t worried about that at all.

“What do I care about my legacy?” Tyson told Interview Magazine.

“I never knew what a legacy was and people started throwing that word around so loosely. A legacy sounds like ego to me.

“I’m going to be dead soon. Who cares what somebody is going to think about me when I’m dead?”

Bellew stunt explained

Tony Bellew was thrown out of yesterday’s press conference after taking part in an apparent publicity stunt.

Bellew took the mic to seemingly ask a question to Jake Paul while stood next to a ‘107-year-old’ man.

But insead, he said: “Jake Paul, the biggest clown, I’ve got your next opponent here Jake.” 

That led to him getting removed from the venue by security.

Speaking to talkSPORT immediately afterwards, Bellew then explained himself.

“Well listen, I just needed to get it out there,” he said.

“Seeing that Jake Paul is fighting a grandfather in my icon and hero Mike Tyson, I thought, ‘He’s going to lose to a grandfather.’

“If he does, which hopefully he does, then I thought, ‘For his a comeback fight, if that’s the demographic he’s going on, why not fight a great-grandfather, fight Norman.’

“Norman’s the champion of the care homes, he’s 107 years old, he’s got two new hips, he’s got about 20 great-grandchildren.

“So I just thought, give Norman the chance.”

Age advantage

Anthony Joshua has backed Jake Paul to beat Mike Tyson.

‘AJ’ has given his opinion on the huge crossover fight and believes that the age difference between the pair will impact the outcome.

Paul is 31 years younger than Tyson who is 58 years old.

“He [Mike Tyson] is older now,” Joshua said on the Jonathan Ross Show.

“I pray that he comes out healthy. I think Jake Paul [wins] because of youth – that’s the only thing.”

That is an opinion backed up by Tyson’s former promoter Bob Arum, who is hoping the icon doesn’t get injured.

Arum admitted: “A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight.

“You can’t throw punches like you’re supposed to, you can’t do a lot of things. I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him relatively no chance.

“You lose that muscle memory as you get older.”

‘Tyson’s gonna batter him’

Mike Tyson looks in great shape ahead of the fight tomorrow.

The 58-year-old took part in his public workout earlier this week and seemingly changed some opinions on his chances.

There are questions over whether Tyson is going to suffer a shock loss due to his age and the clear gap between him and 27-year-old Jake Paul.

His physical condition has become a potential issue too, especially considering the original fight date was moved back due to his health.

But after stepping into the ring on Tuesday, ‘Iron Mike’ proved that he still has his incredible punching ability, smashing the pads with his coach Rafael Cordeiro consistently.

In reaction to footage, one fan wrote: “Jake’s made a MASSIVE mistake here.”

While a second fan said: “This is a real heavyweight in front of our eyes. I take back everything I said about his age and speed.”

A third commented: “If Nate Diaz was able to land on Jake in the pocket, Tyson’s gonna batter him. I can see Tyson stopping him with a shot to that skinny fat body Jake has.”

And a fourth put: “Mike Tyson still got it! Jake Paul better be ready for a REAL fight!”

A fifth fan opined: “I’m never betting against Mike Tyson SORRY!! I don’t care what age he is.”

While another insisted: “I think this fight is gonna be a lot better than people think.”

Tension rising

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson both had separate angry exchanges with reporters at their final press conference on Wednesday.

As they spoke to the media for the last time before they step into the ring, the pair clashed with those asking the questions.

It was boxing icon Tyson whose altercation came first.

In slightly broken English, the reporter said: “Hi Mr Tyson, I just want to ask a little question.

“Can you share with us why did you say this sentence – ‘The fear of losing is [more] frightening than dying.’

“What would you lose if you lose this fight?”

Tyson initially replied calmly: “I’m not gonna lose.”

To which the reporter replied: “But you said that in the last minute-“

But she was interrupted by Tyson who angrily shouted back: “I am not gonna lose, did you hear what I said?”

Not long later, it was Paul’s turn.

A different reporter stood up and asked: “Jake you were just talking about your career and how it’s grown.

“And you’ve said in the past how you want to be taken seriously as a boxer.

“So when can we expect you to start fighting legitimate contending fighters in your weight class?”

Paul recognised the reporter and fired back: “I think you’re the same reporter from that other event.”

The man replied: “I am, and you didn’t answer the question.”

Paul continued: “You’re disrespecting Mike Tyson to his face once again, do you not think he’s a serious boxer.

The reporter then left, prompting Paul to add: “He walks away.”