(15 Nov -24) Index Treasure – ARLINGTON, Texas – A longtime friend of Mike Tyson said the boxer slapped Jake Paul Thursday night for stepping on his foot.
A video shows Paul stepping on Tyson’s foot for a moment at their weigh-in for Friday’s fight at AT&T Stadium. Then, Tyson slapped Paul and pointed to the ground before someone separated them.
“Jake stepped on Mike’s foot, that prompted the reaction,” said Tom Patti, a longtime friend of Tyson’s. “I was there and Mike told me.”
Patti said she and Tyson trained together under Cus D’Amato in Catskill, New York. They lived at D’Amato’s house from 1982 to 1987. In 2016, voters elected Patti to the San Joaquin County, California, Board of Supervisors. In 2021, Tyson told USA TODAY Sports that he first encouraged Patti to enter politics.
In town for the fight, Patti said he was at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving Thursday night when the weigh-in drama happened. After Tyson and Paul took turns weighing in, the fighters walked to one end of the stage.
That’s where Paul crawled up to Tyson. Then, he stood and, apparently, stepped on Tyson’s right foot with his left foot.Since the fight was announced in March, Tyson and Paul often seemed friendly together. In May, both fighters denied claims that the fight was rigged, citing their close relationship.
But, Tyson has grown more withdrawn and Paul more antagonistic this week.
“Jake disrespects Mike. Then, he crawls and pounces in front of him, like a lurching animal. ‘Mike put him in his place,’ Patti said.”
Since the fight was announced in March, Tyson and Paul often seemed friendly together. In May, both fighters denied claims that the fight was rigged, citing their close relationship.
But, Tyson has grown more withdrawn and Paul more antagonistic this week.
“Patti said Tyson’s reaction at the weigh-in shows he’s done with publicity and ready to fight”
