Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight: A history of their beef

Nov 15, 2024, 10:26 AM ET

It’s finally here.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will face off in a sanctioned boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday. Though the 58-year-old Tyson, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, is far removed from his days of demolishing opponents in the first round, his reputation as “Iron Mike” precedes him. Paul, 27, has turned himself from a YouTube celebrity into a legitimate boxer, though the majority of his wins have come in sanctioned fights against mixed martial artists.

Though they couldn’t have come to this fight by more distinct paths, both boxers have one thing in common: They know how to promote a fight. Here’s a look back at some of the best trash talk leading up to the main event.

March 7: It’s official

With the long-rumored fight officially announced, Paul started things off by hyping himself up. Later that day, he revealed that, the first time he met Tyson, Iron Mike called him by his brother’s name.

March 13: The more things change …

A week after the announcement, Paul reminisced about how stoked he was just hearing Mike Tyson say his name. Tyson, for his own part, went semi-viral just posting a video of his terrifying speed and power.

March 15: Throwing down the gauntlet

For a man nearing 60, Tyson is in incredible shape, and his training videos have served as a form of trash talk all on their own. Paul wasn’t intimidated, however.

April 16: Speed kills

What would you do if Mike Tyson was sprinting at you at full speed? Too late — he’s already here.

April 27: ‘I love Mike Tyson’

Paul gave Tyson his flowers … but that’s not changing his approach to the fight.

May 7: More pad work

You’ve got to hand it to the guy holding the pads — it can’t be easy to stand up to that many Tyson haymakers.

May 13: Iron vs. Titanium

The two boxers met face-to-face, and Paul coined himself a new nickname.

May 31: Fight postponed

The original fight date of July 20 was rescheduled for Nov. 15 as a result of an ulcer flare-up Tyson suffered on a flight. Tyson posted on social media a few days before the official announcement reassuring fans that he was OK.

June 8: Trash talk resumes

After a short lull, Tyson returned with a little poetic taunting.

Aug. 18: Face to face

Paul and Tyson had another staredown in a fight promo, and though there were no shenanigans in person, both fighters traded barbs on social media afterward.

Sept. 15: Another staredown

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones played host to this brief staredown at Dallas’ home game against the New Orleans Saints.

Sept. 24: Star power

Tyson met with Al Pacino and David Blaine, but it was another member of the group who provided the most memorable quote from this exchange, playing off Tyson originally mistaking Jake Paul for his brother Logan.

Oct. 24: What’s that noise?

No big deal, just a black-and-white promo of Tyson training with an ominous droning noise in the background.

Nov. 10: Contrast killers

This might be the most memorable quote coming out of this fight’s promotion so far.

Nov. 14: ‘It’s personal now’

In the final standoff before their fight, Paul entered Tyson’s personal space. Iron Mike responded with an open-handed slap.