Jake Paul clapped back at Mike Tyson’s “fat” jibe by invoking his rival’s famous loss to Buster Douglas. The two are set to square off in a hotly debated heavyweight bout in Texas this July, having already exchanged words at press events last week.

Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, has bulked up significantly for the fight, tipping the scales at 230 pounds, nearly matching Anthony Joshua’s heft. Tyson mocked Paul’s weight gain, saying: “I don’t know if he’s in his prime, he’s fat. He should be lean and mean, he’s fat and funky. I saw him with his shirt off the other day, he’s fat!”

Paul hit back by referencing Tyson’s stunning defeat to Buster Douglas in 1990.”Hey, Buster Douglas was fat. Am I right? I know, but you know Buster Douglas, I’m better. I’m going to end you quicker than he did and you’ll remember that forever,” he said.

“You started me off. I appreciate that. Mike, I love you. I love you like a father loves his son, but I must discipline you. You’re going down, man.”

Paul added: “They say he’s the baddest man on the planet, so let’s find out. Apparently he’s the final boss… I love the biggest challenges in the world. That’s what’s made my whole entire career is taking big risks and I want the toughest guy out there.

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Jake Paul© Getty Images

“I want the biggest fights and making history is what I’ve done my whole entire career. And this is no different. Netflix, Mike Tyson. It doesn’t get any bigger than this and everyone will see July 20.”

Tyson has been out of the ring since his lackluster draw against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. His last professional match was in 2005 where he stepped away mid-fight during a bout with Kevin McBride.

But he added: “Once he’s in that ring, he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will be. [This fight] was a no-brainer. He was a new up and coming guy on the scene, and I like shaking the sports world to its core and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.”