Ahead of their showdown at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson faced off in a press conference that highlighted their contrasting personalities.
IRVING, Texas – Mike Tyson and Jake Paul both declared themselves ready for their upcoming fight, but only one made a memorable statement during the final press conference on Wednesday.
Paul, never one to shy away from the spotlight, made his entrance with something extra flashy on his right ear.
“I’m not getting my (expletive) bit off on Friday night, so I got my diamond-spiked ear covers right here,” Paul said, referencing Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident during his 1997 fight with Evander Holyfield.
Tyson, however, didn’t respond to Paul’s quip, marking a noticeable shift in the former world champion’s demeanor. Whereas Tyson had been more animated and playful leading up to the fight, he appeared increasingly distant and disengaged as the bout neared.
Netflix, which will livestream the fight, also broadcasted the press conference—its final media event before the fight—and it was clear that the two men couldn’t have been more different in their approach.
Paul, 27, wore a black sleeveless T-shirt with a glittery sheen, paired with sunglasses. Confidence radiated from him as he addressed Tyson: “I fear no man, so I want him to bring that old savage Mike. I’m ready. I want the hardest fight possible, and when I knock him out, I want there to be no excuses.”
Then, looking directly at Tyson, Paul taunted, “So is that what you’re going to bring, homicidal?”
Tyson, 58, dressed in a plain black T-shirt and dark denim jacket, sat stoically, staring ahead. When Paul asked if Tyson planned to bring his former ferocious style, Tyson offered no immediate reaction. He simply remained silent for a long moment before finally responding, “I’m just ready.”
The press conference wrapped up with host Ariel Helwani polling the 12 other fighters on the undercard to predict the outcome of the Tyson-Paul fight. Nine fighters picked Tyson as the winner, while three voted for Paul.
Despite the predictions, Paul remains the betting favorite heading into the fight.
The two will face off once more at Thursday’s weigh-in before stepping into the ring on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
