Unseen reason Mike Tyson slapped Jake Paul at weigh-in ‘revealed by pal after YouTuber’s act angered boxing legend’

MIKE TYSON unleashed a slap onto the cheek of Jake Paul during the pair’s weigh-in yesterday.

And it now seems that one of Tyson’s friends has revealed exactly why he felt the need to lay hands on the YouTube star before tonight’s bout.

Things often get feisty ahead of blockbuster fights, with pushing and shoving not uncommon during pre-bout weigh-ins.

However, Tyson’s slap on Paul’s cheek seemed somewhat unprovoked during yesterday’s face-off.

That was until a “close friend of Tyson” explained what led the 58-year-old boxing legend to hit Paul on stage.

Speaking to USA Today Sports, Tyson’s pal Tom Patti said: “Jake stepped on Mike’s foot, that prompted the reaction. I was there and Mike just told me.’’

In typical fashion, Jake Paul had chosen an unusual way to make his way over to Tyson for the face-off.

The 27-year-old prankster-turned-boxer crawled towards Iron Mike on his hands and feet before popping up to his feet again and facing off with the former world champ.

However, in footage from that moment, it can be seen that when Paul does pop back to his feet he steps directly onto the foot of Tyson.

Tyson immediately takes issue with the clumsy mistake, pointing down at his foot and then sweeping his hand across Paul’s cheek.

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The slap almost led to a mass brawl on stage at the weigh-in with security, organisers and members of the fighter’s teams all piling in to stop the pair from going at each other.

Iron Mike later said of the incident: “I was in my socks and he had on shoes, he stepped on my toe because he is a f***ing a***hole.

“I was in a lot of pain. I had to reciprocate.”

Jake Paul seemed unfazed by the hit and used the moment to antagonise his opponent.

He said: “I didn’t even feel it – he’s angry. He’s an angry little elf…cute slap buddy.”

Despite his age, Tyson looked in sensational shape as he hit the scales at 228.4lb (16st 3lb) while wearing a pair of Versace briefs.

That was just before Paul came in a career-biggest 227.2lb (16st 2lb) nearly TWO STONE above his usual 14st 14lb cruiserweight frame.