The internet buzzed with speculation after videos emerged showing boxing legend Mike Tyson slapping YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul at a weigh-in event. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night before their highly anticipated fight, left many wondering: why did Mike Tyson slap Jake Paul? According to Tom Patti, a close friend of Tyson and a San Joaquin County Supervisor, the reason behind the slap was surprisingly simple – Jake Paul stepped on Mike Tyson’s foot.
Patti, who has known Tyson for years and was present at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, where the weigh-in took place, shared this explanation with USA TODAY Sports via text message. He stated that Tyson directly told him the foot-stepping incident provoked the reaction. Video footage from the event seems to corroborate this account, showing Paul appearing to briefly step on Tyson’s right foot before Tyson retaliated with a slap across Paul’s face.
Following the weigh-in, where both fighters officially made weight for their upcoming match at AT&T Stadium, the tension escalated when Paul approached Tyson on stage. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence suggest Paul moved in an unusual manner towards Tyson, culminating in the alleged foot-stepping incident. Patti described Paul’s behavior as disrespectful, stating, “Jake shows enough disrespect that he starts crawling up to Mike and then pouncing in front of him … like some sort of lurching animal.” He further added that Tyson “put him in his place” in response to this perceived disrespect and the physical act of stepping on his foot.
The friendship between Patti and Tyson dates back to their time training together under the legendary Cus D’Amato in Catskill, New York, from 1982 to 1987. Tyson has been a long-time supporter of Patti’s political career, even encouraging him to run for office. This close relationship lends credibility to Patti’s account of the events and Tyson’s reasoning behind the slap.
Beyond the immediate incident, the relationship between Tyson and Paul had been under scrutiny in the lead-up to their fight. Despite initial appearances of camaraderie and mutual respect, with both fighters dismissing rumors of a rigged fight in May, a shift in demeanor was noticeable in the week preceding the weigh-in. Tyson reportedly became more withdrawn, while Paul adopted a more antagonistic approach, suggesting rising tensions that may have contributed to the weigh-in altercation.
Mike Tyson’s Enduring Connection to Stockton
Interestingly, the context of Tom Patti’s presence at the fight event also highlights Mike Tyson’s broader connections beyond boxing. Patti, as a San Joaquin County Supervisor, has a public profile, and Tyson has actively supported Patti’s political endeavors, including campaigning for Patti’s mayoral run in Stockton.
Tyson’s engagement with Stockton is not a recent development. He has visited the city multiple times over the years, demonstrating a genuine connection with the community. In 2014 alone, Tyson visited Stockton at least three times, even bringing his one-man show, “Mike Tyson’s Undisputed Truth: Live on Stage,” to the Bob Hope Theatre. During these visits, Tyson expressed a sense of hope for the city and its residents, particularly the youth, contrasting with negative perceptions of Stockton. He visited local high schools and boxing events, emphasizing a message of hope and opportunity.
Patti has emphasized Tyson’s evolution over the years, noting his growth into a family man who acknowledges past mistakes. This personal growth narrative adds another layer to understanding Tyson’s reaction at the weigh-in – suggesting it wasn’t merely an impulsive act but perhaps a reaction rooted in feeling disrespected, however minor the instigation might seem.
In conclusion, while the slap incident at the weigh-in generated considerable buzz and speculation, the explanation from Mike Tyson’s close friend, Tom Patti, points to a rather straightforward cause: Jake Paul stepping on Mike Tyson’s foot. Whether this was an intentional act of disrespect or an accidental misstep remains debated, but according to Patti, this action triggered Tyson’s reaction, signaling a definitive end to pre-fight pleasantries and a clear indication that “it’s time to fight.”
