Mike Tyson breaks his silence to explain why he slapped Jake Paul

Mike Tyson has confirmed he slapped Jake Paul because his rival stepped on his toes.

Tyson was waiting for Paul to join him for their final face-off before tonight's first bell when the YouTuber crouched and crawled towards the heavyweight legend before springing up in his face. Tyson immediately slapped Paul before slipping back to avoid any retaliatory blows.

The pair were then separated by security as tempers flared after the end of a week in which Tyson had largely kept his cards close to his chest. A theory later circulated on social media that Paul had stepped on Tyson's toes, provoking his outburst, and the man himself later revealed that to be true.

"I was in my socks and he had on shoes," . "He stepped on my toe because he is a f***ing a**hole. I wanted to think it happened by accident. But now I think it may have happened on purpose. I was in a lot of pain. I had to reciprocate." A member of Tyson's team added: "Jake has been poking the bear the whole time. Mike slapped the s*** out of him."

At the time, Tyson refused to elaborate on his intentions, saying simply: "Talking’s over." But Paul was more vocal, telling Tyson he would pay for the slap when they are reunited in the ring.

"I didn't even feel it, he's angry," he said. "He's an angry little elf. , I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re getting knocked the f*** out. I’m f***ing him up, Ariel, I'm f***ing him up. He hits like a b****… It’s personal now, it's personal now. He must die!"

Paul is the favourite to beat Tyson tonight but bookmakers have shortened the heavyweight legend's odds this week as he prepares for his first fight in four years. On that occasion he fought out a bore draw with Roy Jones Jr in a fight with similar rules to tonight's bout.

Tyson's last professional outing saw him quit on his stool after five rounds against Kevin McBride in 2005 with the fighter once known as the Baddest Man on the Planet admitting his career was over.

But he will return tonight over eight two-minute rounds against Paul who has made a career out of fighting ex-MMA fighters including Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz. He has amassed a record of 10-1 with his sole defeat coming against last year.