Tony Bellew crashed the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson press conference (Pictures: X/Getty)
Former British boxer and I’m a Celebrity star Tony Bellew was removed from the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson press conference following an awkward prank.
The press conference at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, was just a few minutes deep when Bellew, 41, made a bizarre disturbance.
After asking the panel of ten fighters a few questions, sports broadcaster Ariel Helwani threw to the media and fans in attendance.
A reporter was trying to ask a question when Bellew stook up, wearing a Paddy Power shirt, and attempted to speak through a microphone that barely registered inside the arena.
Security belatedly approached Bellew and escorted him out of the venue before the press conference continued.
Bellew was ‘inspired’ by ‘Iron Mike’ Tyson growing up and says watching the all-time great is ‘one of the reasons’ he became a world champion.
The Liverpudlian is ‘concerned’ for Tyson’s welfare but has dismissed the threat of Paul, describing him as a boxer who should be fighting ‘on the Disney Channel’.
Speaking to Mail Sport via Paddy Power, Bellew said: ‘One of the reasons why I became the world champion was because of Mike Tyson.
‘He inspired an entire generation, and even though I wasn’t part of that era, I grew up watching his fights. I was born in ’82, and I stayed up until three or four o’clock in the morning to watch his fights in the early ’90s.
‘Mike Tyson was a hero and an icon of mine. He is literally one of the kings of the sport.
‘Of course, when you’re fighting a man half your age, you’ve got to be concerned. Thankfully, Mike isn’t fighting an established fighter or a world champion.
‘He’s facing someone who used to be on the Disney Channel, so it’s not like he’s up against a genuinely dangerous opponent. Jake Paul might talk a good game, but he’s all smoke and mirrors.
‘I can’t knock Jake Paul as a businessman – he’s done incredible things in terms of generating numbers and securing deals. He’s got a massive platform, and he’s smart with his business moves.
‘But let’s be clear: He’s only able to do this because of Mike Tyson. Paul needed Tyson to make this fight happen. Without Mike, none of this would be possible.
‘I just want to see Mike Tyson knock him out. Jake Paul is playing a dangerous game, but he doesn’t know the tricks of the trade that Tyson does.
‘Mike has been through the championship rounds, he understands fatigue, and how to survive in the ring when things get tough.
‘Jake Paul? He doesn’t know how to manage the clock, he doesn’t know how to get through those later rounds. Mike Tyson has been there, done that.’
Bellew added: ‘I’m just hoping Mike can pull out that one last punch. A right hand would be incredible, but I think an uppercut would be the perfect way to end it.
‘It would probably stop Jake Paul in his tracks. Stop him from talking for a couple of weeks which would be great for everyone.
‘I would show my ass to the Vatican if Jake Paul was to ever go into an ABA championships and win, and that’s the Amateur Boxing Association championships. I don’t think he would beat any decent amateur boxer.’
More to follow…