Jake Paul has leapt to support Mike Tyson after footage emerged of the boxing legend appearing to punch a fellow plane passenger.
Tyson, 55, was filmed on a plane due to leave San Francisco for Florida on Wednesday night. He was approached by another man who wanted to chat and to take a selfie, to which Tyson obliged, before the pair were involved in a physical altercation.
Tyson can be seen repeatedly landing blows on the man who was left with blood on his face and who was later treated for his injuries. Tyson left the plane before a statement from his representatives claimed he had been provoked. "Unfortunately, Mr. Tyson had an incident on a flight with an aggressive passenger who began harassing him and threw a water bottle at him while he was in his seat," a spokesperson said.
Police told ESPN that the alleged victim declined to cooperate further with the investigation. Paul, who struck up a friendship with Tyson earlier this year, then took to Twitter to back the ring legend, writing: "If you’re being heckled in public like Mike Tyson was you should legally get a hall pass to beat someone’s ass. This generation thinks they can get away with anything."
Paul and Tyson have repeatedly been linked with an exhibition bout after Tyson returned to the ring against Roy Jones Jr in 2020. Paul, meanwhile, has established a professional record of 5-0 after victories over a fellow YouTube star, a former NBA star and two former UFC fighters.
Tyson is unlikely to commit to such a bout but has teased the possibility. "Hell yeah [I'd do it], only to break the record," Tyson said this week. " Jake Paul believe it not is more profitable than the champs, this guy probably brings about 80million people to the table. Let's do it Jakey, God wouldn't that be cool."
Tyson was also called out by Jake's brother Logan who took on Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout last summer and who is considering a return to the ring later this year.
