An iconic moment came in the Paul vs Tyson Netflix fight when Mike Tyson slapped Paul at the weigh-in.
Tyson clearly had trained hard for the fight and Paul looked a bit soft but it is his first fight in the heavyweight division.
Speaking with Fight Hub boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. gave his take on what he saw as regards the slap and weigh-in:
“Sir, what’s up Roy, how we doing? How you doing? I’m good, man. Uh, so first off, what was your initial reaction when that slap happened with Mike? I mean, that’s Mike—that’s very Mike. I was glad to see it actually, because it means that Mike and I had just been going through the motions. He’s serious about it, you know? So I liked it. Yeah, like his energy was very calming throughout the week. Yes, it was. And the fact that it came out now, I’m glad to see that because if I hadn’t seen that, I would’ve been worried that this fight might not even be for real.
How do you see the fight, given how Mike and you fought a few years back? Two-minute rounds are good for Mike, but Jake is going to get stronger as the fight goes on because Jake’s the younger guy. So I think Jake is smart to come out and probably try to box Mike, keep his distance, and if he can get Mike a little fatigued, make Mike use his legs a bit. Do you think it goes more than three rounds? Depends on how Jake comes out. If Jake comes out and handles him right away, no, it won’t, because Mike will knock him out. But if Jake takes his time and boxes Mike, yeah, we probably go past three.
Do you think Mike might be coming into this a little too emotional because of the slap? No, no. Mike’s style—he can never be too emotional. That’s how he lived. He fought off emotions, so he can never be too emotional. You okay? Yeah, yeah. Saw those horns right there in the truck. So you’re saying he can never be too emotional? No, that’s his style. Emotions work for him. Most people’s emotions don’t work for their style, but Mike’s emotions trigger his style.
Have you made an actual pick yet? No, I haven’t. Do you lean toward one? I lean more towards Mike, of course, because Mike’s the traditional boxer. I mean, come on, man—it is what it is. But at the same time, he is 58, so that kind of worries me a little bit. Worries everybody, yeah. Okay, I was going to say, you’re honest with that. That worries everyone. So is Mike’s best chance in the first three rounds? Yeah, that’s the question. And what do you think—he catches him with a body shot? Might get it with a body shot. It could be the ropes, could be anything.
Alright, you’re the man, Roy. Thank you, I appreciate it.”
Interesting analysis from Jones.
It was only around four years ago that Jones and Tyson duked it out in an exhibition that went to a draw.
Tyson boxed well in that but that was an exhibition, this is something totally different and is a real heavyweight professional fight over two rounds.
One thing Jones touched on above that not many are mentioning, the two minute rounds will really suit Tyson’s fight style as well.
Something Tyson knows will be an advantage to him.
