Mike Tyson Reveals Reason Behind Viral Jake Paul Slap: ‘I Had To Retaliate’

On By Littum

Jake Paul learned a hard lesson Thursday night: Don’t step on Mike Tyson’s toes.

The Giants met Thursday for their final weigh-in before meeting in a highly anticipated matchup at AT&T Stadium on Friday night.

But things took a drastic turn when the former heavyweight boxing champion beat the YouTuber-turned-boxer on stage.

Mike Tyson beats Jake Paul

Mike Tyson, left, punches Jake Paul during a weigh-in Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas, ahead of their heavyweight bout. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Speculation swirled on social media as to what might have caused the legend to snap.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Tyson cleared the air and told New York Post it was because Paul stepped on his foot, perhaps on purpose.

“I was in my socks and he had shoes on,” Tyson told the outlet after the weigh-in. “He stepped on my toe because he’s a f—ing–hole. I wanted to think it was an accident. But now I think it might have been on purpose.”

Tyson beats Paul

Mike Tyson, left, and Jake Paul square off during a weigh-in at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

JAKE PAUL’S MOTHER THREATS TO ‘KILL’ MIKE TYSON AFTER WEIGHING SLIP: ‘F—ING LITTLE B—-‘

Video of the incident supports Tyson’s story.

“I was in a lot of pain. I had to retaliate,” he added.

Tyson, 58, is stepping back into the ring for the first time in nearly two decades. He will face Paul, who turned to professional boxing just four years ago and has only lost once in 11 fights.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face each other

Mike Tyson, left, and Jake Paul, right, face each other during a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Irving, Texas, ahead of their fight. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The event will be streamed exclusively on Netflix from 8 p.m. ET. According to reports, the main event is not expected to begin until around 11.30pm

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.