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The fight circus between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul continues at Fanatics Fest, the fight is “taking place”

Boxing legend and pop culture icon Mike Tyson and boxer-turned-YouTuber Jake Paul met again for a press conference on Sunday, this time at the Javits Center in Hell's Kitchen as part of Fanatics Fest NYC.

It was the first time the two had faced each other since their highly anticipated – and highly publicized – fight was postponed from July 20 to November 15 following Tyson's health scare in May.

The significant age difference – Tyson is 58, Paul 27 – and the fact that Tyson has not fought a professional fight since his loss to Kevin McBride in 2005 raised doubts as to whether the fight, which is scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, will actually take place.

Tyson's health complication – his stomach ulcer broke out during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles – only increased these doubts.

When asked directly if he was sure the fight would take place, Tyson replied yes. However, his answer was not particularly emphatic or convincing.

“It's happening,” Tyson said, laughing. “We're all here.”

Mike Tyson at a press conference with Jake Paul during Fanatics Fest NYC on August 18, 2024. Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com

Tyson's frivolous demeanor matched the circus-like atmosphere that surrounded him on Sunday.

The fight is an officially sanctioned heavyweight bout that will challenge both fighters' professional records, but the promotion has seemed like a gimmick since its announcement.

Still, the possibility of seeing Tyson get back in the ring, along with Paul's fame – and infamy – on social media, creates a rare intrigue.

The fight is expected to draw a large crowd and will be streamed live on Netflix with no additional pay-per-view costs for subscribers.

Thousands of violent fans flocked to the Javits Center theater, chanting their admiration for Tyson and taunting Paul at every opportunity.

“You had to take your little menopausal break and postpone the fight,” Paul Tyson taunted and the crowd reacted violently. “How about this, buddy? I was ready, you needed a little break. Is your stomach still hurting?”

Mike Tyson, Ryan Clark and Jake Paul pose onstage during the press conference for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match at Fanatics Fest NYC at the Javits Center on August 18, 2024. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) gave little more than one-line answers all afternoon, replying simply: “I'm feeling much better now.”

When host Ryan Clark suggested that Tyson was nervous about the fight against Paul and not really sick, Tyson laughed and said sarcastically, “I was terrified.”

Finally, Tyson countered all of Paul's trash talk with a simple “I'm going to finish you off” and said the fight would be “very painful” for Paul. The fans soaked up every word he said, even if it was only a few.

Paul was much more verbose.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul pose on stage during the press conference for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match at Fanatic Fest NYC. ZUMAPRESS.com

Paul, who has a 10-1 record with seven knockouts against mostly former MMA fighters and influential colleagues, called Tyson an “old motherf—r,” told him he would “discipline him like a son” and announced he would put Tyson “at the end of his boxing career.”

His cheeky and antagonistic villainous personality has earned Paul many followers and fame.

This helped him land lucrative fights shortly after entering the sport and sparked interest in his boxing career – especially among people who hoped to see him lose.

It's a topic he brings up again and again, and he enjoys the continued doubts about his seriousness as a professional fighter.

Paul had to constantly shout over the booing crowd, who alternated between chanting “F–k Jake Paul” and “YouTuber” during each speech. Paul addressed this directly, attacking both the crowd and New York.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson attacked each other at Fanatics Fest NYC. Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com

“Shut up, New York,” Paul said. “Boo you. Boo you, New York. New York, you're just like Mike Tyson – you were good 20 years ago. Fuck you, New York. You stupid Democratic city.”

But when they actually meet in the ring on November 15, Paul will be facing one of the most feared men of a past generation – and not any heckling from fans.

Tyson gave Paul a little shove during their face-off, but even that was playful and not serious, as Tyson burst out laughing.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face off at an exclusive press conference ahead of their November fight during Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at the Jacob Javits Center on August 18, 2024 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fanatics

However, once Tyson's fists start flying, there's usually not much comedy left.

Does this version of “Iron Mike” still exist?

“We have a YouTuber fighting the greatest fighter of all time,” Tyson said. “… I'm ready.”