Arlington, Texas – The stage was set for one of the most anticipated, yet highly controversial, bouts in recent boxing history when former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson slapped opponent Jake Paul during their final face-off on Thursday, November 14, just ahead of their highly publicized fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The incident occurred after the formal weigh-in, where Tyson, 58, stepped onto the scales at 228.4 pounds, donning nothing but a pair of Versace briefs. The slap – a sharp, open-handed strike to Paul’s cheek – caused an immediate stir, with the audience gasping in shock. A quick response from security swiftly intervened, separating the two fighters before Tyson was escorted off the stage. Tyson, who has not fought professionally since 2005, said little during the face-off, his actions speaking volumes. As he left the stage, he reportedly muttered, “Talking’s over,” signaling his readiness to let the fists do the talking in the ring the following day. Members of his entourage followed closely behind, with the mood tense as the crowd waited for Paul’s response.
In contrast to the drama, Paul, 27, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, shrugged off the slap and downplayed the incident in his comments to the press. “I didn’t even feel it,” Paul said, poking fun at Tyson’s gesture. “He’s angry. He’s an angry little elf … cute slap buddy.” Paul, who weighed in slightly lighter than Tyson at 227.2 pounds, followed up his comments with a bold declaration: “I’m going to knock him out,” before theatrically roaring into a microphone, exclaiming, “He must die.” His fiery words have only fueled the already high tensions surrounding the event, which has divided opinions within the boxing world. The showdown between Tyson and Paul, an officially sanctioned eight-round bout, has garnered significant attention, not only because of Tyson’s legendary career but also due to the unusual nature of the contest. The match is being streamed live on Netflix and has generated significant debate across the sport. Tyson, now in his late 50s, has not fought professionally in nearly two decades, raising concerns about his health and his readiness to face a younger, if less experienced, fighter in Paul.
Despite these concerns, Tyson is reportedly being paid a staggering $20 million for the fight, fueling speculation about his motivations for returning to the ring. Many in the boxing community, including promoters like Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, have expressed fears for Tyson’s health, with some questioning the wisdom of his return to the sport at such an advanced age. The fight is scheduled to take place Friday, November 15, at AT&T Stadium, a venue known for hosting some of boxing’s biggest events. Tyson, once considered one of the most fearsome boxers of all time, will be facing off against the self-proclaimed “Problem Child” Jake Paul, who has been climbing the ranks in the world of celebrity boxing. While Paul is known for his brash antics and larger-than-life persona, Tyson’s reputation as one of the sport’s most vicious punchers remains intact, even after years away from the ring. However, Tyson’s advanced age and his time away from competitive boxing have led many to question whether he can still deliver the same knockout power that once made him a household name. Despite these concerns, Tyson has maintained that he is in “100%” condition and is fully prepared to “knock Jake Paul out of boxing.”
While the fight will undoubtedly draw massive viewership on Netflix, the spectacle of it all has been heavily criticized by purists in the boxing world. Many argue that Tyson, now well past his prime, risks damaging his legacy by stepping into the ring with an opponent like Paul, who has less than five professional fights to his name. Some have even called the event a “circus” or “sideshow” to attract attention and financial gain rather than a legitimate sporting contest. As the two fighters prepare to face off tomorrow, the world will be watching, eager to see whether Tyson can still deliver on his legendary promise or if Jake Paul will prove that his brash confidence is more than just talk. The bout, which promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, will be broadcast live on Netflix on November 15.
Springboks don’t want to go down that ‘conservative slope’ against England
Twickenham, London – England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, finds himself under immense pressure as he leads his side into a crucial clash against the world champion Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday, November 16. With a four-game losing streak hanging over his tenure, Borthwick is desperate for a win to restore confidence and lift his team’s spirits. The match will mark the first time England has faced South Africa since their dramatic 16-15 loss to the Springboks in last year’s Rugby World Cup semi-final in France. That heart-breaking defeat was the beginning of a series of narrow losses under Borthwick, who has struggled to convert promising performances into victories. His side began their November campaign with last-gasp defeats to New Zealand (24-22) and Australia (42-37), both at Twickenham. Despite the mounting pressure, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has reiterated their full support for Borthwick, insisting that the former England captain remains the right man for the job.
South African head coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the mental toll of repeated losses, noting that “when you lose two games, even if it’s by a point or last-minute try, the pressure does start to build.” Erasmus, who knows the pressures of international coaching, sympathized with Borthwick, saying, “I’ve been there, and I know how quickly that can get to you. Now Steve is a bit under pressure. It depends on your CEO – they can make you feel like you have a gun against your head.” The weight of the recent defeats has led to criticism from high-profile figures like former England captain Will Carling and 2003 World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward, both of whom have questioned Borthwick’s methods following the dramatic loss to Australia. Despite the external scrutiny, Borthwick remains steadfast, emphasizing his focus on the challenge ahead.
“When you are coaching England, there are always things on the outside. It is one of my strengths that I just focus and compartmentalize pretty well,” Borthwick said on Thursday. “My job is to coach this team, I love coaching this team, I am loyal to this group of players, and we’ve got to do things better than we have. We are frustrated we haven’t got wins, and we intend to get wins. It’s a brilliant challenge for us this weekend.” Borthwick has made four changes to his starting line up for the South Africa match, with the most notable change being the recall of fullback Freddie Steward. Known for his excellent ability under the high ball, Steward’s inclusion is seen as a strategic move to counter South Africa’s aerial dominance. “The team that kicks more contestable kicks than anybody in the world is South Africa,” Borthwick explained. “That means that anyone who has strengths in that area is going to be very important in this game.”
However, Borthwick will be without Tom Curry, the England flanker, who has been ruled out with a head injury. Curry’s absence comes amid the fallout from last year’s World Cup semi-final, which was marred by uncorroborated accusations that South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi had uttered a racial slur towards him. The issue remains a sensitive topic, adding extra intrigue to Saturday’s contest. Despite making 12 changes to their starting XV from last weekend’s dominant 32-15 win over Scotland, South Africa remains a formidable force. Rassie Erasmus has opted for a traditional five-three forwards-to-backs split on the bench, replacing the much-discussed seven-one ‘Bomb Squad’ approach that has served them well in the past. Among the changes, only lock Eben Etzebeth, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, and prop Ox Nche retain their places from the Murrayfield win, while Siya Kolisi returns as captain. Grant Williams partners the recalled Manie Libbok in a brand-new backline, as the Springboks continue their pursuit of more glory following their Rugby Championship victory earlier this year.
Erasmus made it clear that despite the changes, the priority is still securing the win. “You have to win,” he said. “It’ll be big, it’ll be huge if we can win this match after making so many changes. It’ll justify a lot of players. If you lose, there is a little bit more pressure, you have to gear back a little bit and just go a little bit more conservative, because as South Africans we don’t want to go down that slope.” Saturday’s match at Twickenham is set to be a monumental clash, not just for Borthwick and his England team but for the future of the coaching staff and the direction of English rugby. With both teams loaded with talent and the stakes high, it promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested encounter. For Borthwick, a win over the world champions could be just what is needed to silence critics and steady the ship. However, with the formidable Springboks in town, the pressure on England has never been greater.
The match kicks off at Twickenham on Saturday, November 16.
