Paul, a YouTuber-turned-fighter, responded to the slap with some strong words. "It's personal now, now he's got to die," he said. These comments raised eyebrows, given the concerns already surrounding the contest.
The fight between 58-year-old Tyson and the much younger Paul has stirred up controversy due to the large age gap and safety worries. Despite this, the event is expected to draw a crowd of 65,000 and will be broadcast on Netflix.
Evander Holyfield, who famously beat Tyson twice and was once on the receiving end of Tyson's infamous ear bite, shared his thoughts on the fight. Speaking to Mail Sport, Holyfield said:
"They want to see the old Mike, so he gave them a glimpse of it. In the end, the stronger person who's not gonna quit eventually wins."
Holyfield believes the outcome will come down to strength and heart.
Tyson retired from professional boxing in 2005 when Paul was just seven years old. Now, 'Iron' Mike claims he still has what it takes to beat his younger opponent. Some people, including former opponents, believe him. Others won't watch because they're worried about the dangers posed by the huge gap in age and activity.
There are concerns about Tyson's reflexes, speed, and defense, which will likely be far from his prime years. Questions also linger about his motivation, given his retirement statement that fighting was no longer in his heart.
The fight is set to be a major event, despite the controversy. With a mix of curiosity and concern, many will be watching to see how this unusual matchup unfolds.