The build-up to Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s blockbuster showdown took an unexpected turn when Tony Bellew unapologetically gatecrashed Wednesday’s press conference.
In an otherwise lacklustre media event, Paul and Tyson kept the trash talk to a minimum ahead of tomorrow’s controversial clash at the AT&T Stadium, Texas.
The pair are scheduled to lock horns for eight two-minute rounds – wearing 14 ounce gloves – in what will be Netflix’s first ever live boxing event.
However, Jake Paul has maintained his intention throughout fight week to halt proceedings inside the distance, forcing his 58-year-old opponent back into retirement.
Tony Bellew offers next opponent for Jake Paul
Mike Tyson will return to a professional boxing ring for the first time in nearly two decades, taking on a novice fighter and YouTube sensation.
The former world heavyweight champion suffered a crushing defeat to Kevin McBride in his last outing, with the once formidable operator no longer possessing the same explosiveness or punch resistance.
And yet, the American insists that his ruthlessness has now been restored, while others, including former world cruiserweight champion Bellew, remain unconvinced.
Instead, Bellew has highlighted the age of ‘Iron Mike’ as a point of concern, ridiculing Paul for taking on someone who is more than 30 years his senior.
And so, in a rather comical stunt, the Brit hijacked their news conference yesterday to reveal a potential opponent for Paul.
The man standing next to Bellew, though, was Norman, a self-proclaimed ‘champion of the care homes.’
Tony Bellew discusses security altercation at Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson press conference
Throughout yesterday’s press conference, Tyson expressed very little interest in exchanging words with Paul.
Rather, the former wrecking machine is seemingly subscribed to the belief that the talking has been done and, without Bellew’s stunt, the media event would have made for a relatively dull affair.
But then, after poking fun at Paul, Bellew was swiftly escorted out of the venue by several security guards.
Before long, the former heavyweight contender had also been confronted by an armed Dallas police officer.
Bellew, though, insists that he did not lose his nerve amid the commotion.
“[A security guard] gave me a little push and I said, ‘I’m warning you mate, please don’t put your hands on me, I’m walking, I’m going where you want me to go,’” Bellew told talkSPORT.
“So then we walked a good 150m-200m away and just as we got to the policeman with the gun in his waist, the guy gave me a little shove in the back.
“And I said, ‘You’re an absolute coward.’ He must have been about 6ft 8ins. I said, ‘Do you understand what I would do to you?’”