If there’s a script for the promotion of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight, it flipped on Thursday.
The boxers finally took the gloves off —metaphorically, that is — as they exchanged insults rather than smiles.
Three days after a playful faceoff between the fighters fueled speculation the fight is rigged, the tone was noticeably darker and more contentious when Tyson, 57, and Paul, 27, appeared at a press conference in Arlington, Texas.
Unlike New York, the site of the kickoff press conference Monday, the crowd helped set the tone when it greeted Paul with boos and broke into profane chants of “(Expletive), Jake Paul!’’
Paul chanted along and Tyson joined in, too, during an event to hype the heavyweight bout, which is scheduled to be held July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The fighters, prompted by emcee Brian Custer, addressed speculation their heavyweight boxing match is rigged.
“Well, clearly they don’t have a high IQ in here, but that’s a federal crime,’’ Paul said.
Tyson was asked to respond to speculation the script called for him to lose to Paul, who fought his second pro bout on the undercard of Tyson’s exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
“Well, just come to the fight and you’ll see,’’ Tyson said. “Listen, I started Jake off and I’m going to finish him.’’
The crowd cheered, and Paul seized the moment.
“Hey, I hope you all keep the same energy when I knock this old man the (expletive) out,’’ Paul barked.
Tyson seemed genuinely irritated by the antics of Paul and briefly walked off at the end of the press conference during the ceremonial faceoff. This time included no smiles and no laughter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul get nasty at event to hype fight, ‘script’ flips
