Boxing

Mike Tyson jumped the gun with Jake Paul ... slapping his boxing opponent in the face at the final face-off before their big fight ... and it's all on video.

Iron Mike and Jake got face to face after Thursday's weigh-in ... with Tyson slapping Jake across the check.

Mike landed a right-hand slap flush on Jake's face and then appeared to throw another punch below the belt that missed ... before being pushed away from Jake.

Sylvester Stallone compared Donald Trump to his famous character Rocky Balboa, saying he's in awe of the president-elect's victory in the 2024 election and labeling him a mythical figure.

The iconic actor delivered a speech at an event at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate Thursday night -- kicking things off by discussing the first scene of his 1976 classic boxing film, "Rocky."

Sly told the audience the camera pans from a wall painting of Jesus Christ in a converted church with a boxing ring, where Rocky is getting pummeled by his opponent, as the words “Resurrection AC Club” are seen in the background.

If you were looking for betting advice from Andre Ward on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight ... search elsewhere -- the former boxing superstar tells TMZ Sports it's so close between the two, he has absolutely "no idea" how things will shake out.

The ex-champ broke it down for us on Thursday -- roughly 24 hours before Tyson and Paul will square off in Dallas on Netflix -- explaining that because of Tyson's age and background, the scrap is simply impossible to predict.

"If it's the average 58-year-old, you kind of, sort of know how this thing is going to go," Ward said. "But we're talking about Mike Tyson. If there's a 58-year-old that I'm not worried about, it's him."

Former American boxer James "Buster" Douglas competed professionally from 1981-1999, however he was 30 years old when he rose to mega fame after his legendary Mike Tyson knock out in the Tokyo Dome back in 1990.

Buster was the underdog heading into the ring against Tyson during the 1990 match in Tokyo, but with strong jabs and forceful right hands, he became the first boxer to knock out Tyson -- ending his 3 year reign as heavyweight champion.

Douglas also took on and defeated other heavyweight world champs like Trevor Berbick, Greg Page and Oliver McCall.

Stephen Espinoza ran Showtime Sports and oversaw the two biggest PPV boxing matches ever -- Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd vs. Conor McGregor -- so, we asked the former C-suite exec how much money Jake Paul and Mike Tyson would earn Friday night.

"I think it's realistic to expect that both of them will each make $30 to $40 million each," Espinoza told TMZ Sports on Thursday ... adding they could make substantially more.

And, we're not just talking about huge checks for Jake and Mike ... Stephen also believes Jerry's World will rake in more than ever before on a fight night.

Mike Tyson might've forgotten who he was talking to during an interview with a young journalist ... giving a pretty blunt take on how he'd like to be remembered -- matter-of-factly saying nothing matters once we're all six feet under.

The hilarious interaction happened during a convo with a 13-year-old reporter named Jazzy ... who asked a very good question -- what is the legacy he wants to leave behind when he hangs the gloves up for good?

Iron Mike didn't mince his words ... saying he doesn't believe in "legacy," as it's just another word for ego.

The Brinks trucks will be waiting for Jake Paul and Mike Tyson after Friday's boxing match ... but viewers can walk away with a huge chunk of change, too -- with prop bets turning the fight into a money-making opportunity!!

The folks at BetOnline revealed a number of interesting wagers surrounding the massive event ... from who will be in attendance to whether Iron Mike will bite Jake like he did Evander Holyfield in 1997.

Jake getting bit currently sits at +550, while it's -1000 Mike will keep his chompers to himself ... but B.O. took it one step further and listed which body parts Tyson could target if he does become a creature of habit.

Mike Tyson's proving age ain't nothin' but a number ... 'cause the boxing legend popped the hood at weigh-ins Thursday morning, and Iron Mike's living up to his moniker!

He's ripped and rarin' to go.

58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul both stepped on the scale Thursday morning in Dallas -- about 36 hours before they'll try and take each other's heads off in the ring -- a fight Mike told us would be the "biggest in the history of life."

Mike Tyson might be the baddest man on the planet, but he's no match for Jake Paul ... so says KSI, who claims the boxing legend is gonna get his ass knocked out on Friday.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer shared his thoughts on the upcoming bout one day before the massive event at AT&T Stadium ... and he said point blank -- Mike's age (58) is going to play a major factor in the result.

"Jake Paul will knock out Mike Tyson," KSI said on X. "This will not be close at all."

If you were expecting fierce trash talk and utter chaos at the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson press conference ... sorry, 'cause the boxing legend was as introverted as could be during the leadup to their big fight -- forcing El Gallo to call him out for being "boring."

The two pugilists took the stage just two days before their huge showdown at AT&T Stadium ... and while Jake was ready to go to verbal war, his opponent was a man of few words when peppered with questions.

Mike made it clear he was done talking and ready to fight ... and all he cared about was beating Jake.

Mike Tyson says his upcoming boxing match against Jake Paul isn't just the biggest bout in the sport's existence ... it's the "biggest fight in the history of life!!"

The boxing legend icon made the declaration to Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live" on Tuesday ... saying despite all the blockbuster Pay-Per-Views he's headlined over the years, Friday's event at AT&T Stadium takes the cake.

The 58-year-old admitted it's the most-hyped bout in the world ... claiming, "[There's never been a fight this big."

Boxer Lamont Roach says his January bout against Gervonta Davis will be the fight of the year ... telling TMZ Sports he's gunning to shock the world and hand Tank the first L of his career!

We spoke with the 25-1 fighter ahead of his upcoming matchup with Tank, who will be defending his lightweight title in Houston, TX.

Some might consider it a mismatch ... considering Tank is one of the biggest stars in boxing, while Roach is still on the rise.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are throwing down at the AT&T Stadium in Texas next week ... but, fans who can't wait to see the two brawl have another chance -- in the form of a pair of look-alike little people.

The MicroMania Tour -- a group that puts on gag-filled fights between little people -- is taking over The Nerd Bar ... a Vegas hot spot off The Strip, on Fremont Street.

In what they call "Micro Square Garden," two performers -- outfitted with fake tattoos -- will face each other down in the center ring.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are set to throw down in just nine days at AT&T Stadium in Dallas ... and the Problem Child, along with his MVP promotions fighters, just struck a deal with Fanatics to produce limited-edition trading cards!

TMZ Sports has learned Fanatics and Most Valuable Promotion recently teamed up to produce cards for "MVP's star-studded roster of fighters."

Beyond Paul ... the list includes Amanda Serrano, Ashton "H20" Sylve, Shadasia Green, Javon 'Wanna' Walton and Neeraj Goyat.

There might not have been anyone in the sports world more fired up for Donald Trump's win than Le'Veon Bell ... who danced all over his haters in the minutes after DT was named POTUS No. 47.

The ex-NFL superstar filmed himself in a MAGA hat following Trump's big victory over Kamala Harris ... going off on those who ripped him for his support of Donald in the leadup to Tuesday's election.

"Y'all thought I was about to go somewhere?" said Bell -- who previously stated he'd leave the country if Harris secured the win. "Joke's on you. Joke's on you!"

Lady Gaga gave a live performance at Kamala Harris' final campaign rally Monday night in the all-important swing state of Pennsylvania, belting out "God Bless America" to show her full support for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Gaga was seated at a piano on the famous "Rocky" Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the eve of Election Day, giving it her all vocally, while also making a little speech after singing the second national anthem.

She told the packed audience the country was depending on them, presumably to get out and vote. Gaga then said women for decades never had a voice in this country, nurturing their kids and supporting their husbands to help them make decisions.