The tension reached a boiling point at the weigh-in for Friday’s highly anticipated heavyweight showdown in Texas, as boxing legend Mike Tyson slapped social media star and novice boxer Jake Paul during a heated face-off.

The incident unfolded at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where the 58-year-old Mike Tyson and the 27-year-old Jake Paul are set to clash in a bout that has stirred debate across the boxing world.

Following the weigh-in, which saw Tyson tip the scales at 16st 4lb and Paul just a pound lighter, the two fighters came face-to-face.

Jake Paul crawled theatrically across the stage before rising to Tyson’s eye level, engaging in a tense staredown.

Tyson, who had largely dismissed Paul’s provocations throughout the week, finally snapped, delivering a slap to Paul’s face.

The sudden act prompted security personnel and team members to intervene and separate the fighters.

“Talking’s over,” Tyson declared before storming off the stage.

Paul, unfazed, responded with a grin and proceeded to sit down, appearing to meditate. “I didn’t even feel it. He’s angry. He’s an angry little elf,” Paul quipped.

He went on to taunt the former two-time world champion: “Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re getting knocked out.”

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nigeria’s spot at the next AFCON was confirmed after Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 on Thursday at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali.

The Eagles qualified for the competition with two games to spare. The team is billed to play the Benin Republic less than 30 after the match involving the other two teams in the group.

Nigeria are the leaders in Group D of the qualification with 10 points, followed by the Benin Republic with six points. Only the top two teams qualify for the group.

With the loss to Libya, Rwanda are on five points in third place, with just one game left to play. Libya are sitting at the bottom of the group with four points.

The Super Eagles started the qualification campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Benin Republic in the first leg of the encounter before playing a frustrating draw against Rwanda.

In the third game, Nigeria grabbed a late winner against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. The second leg of the clash against Libya was never held.

The return leg was to be played at Benghazi, but the Nigerian national team’s flight was diverted to Al Abaq airport, and the players and coaches were held for over 20 hours without food and drinks.

The Eagles later withdrew from the qualifying match and returned home. Libya’s action attracted the wrath of CAF, and the country forfeited the game and was fined $50,000. Nigeria was also awarded three points and three goals.

However, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has appealed the CAF decision. The outcome of the appeal could still alter the group’s situation.

The Eagles will face the Benin Republic by 8 pm. Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho are among the players named in Nigeria’s starting line-up for the game.

Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has been arrested for alleged misappropriation of R1.3 million.

According to the South African police service, the 73-year-old was apprehended on Wednesday in Johannesburg.

Police said Jordaan used the federation’s resources for his gain, “including hiring a private security company for personal protection and a Public Relations company without authorisation from the SAFA Board”.

Authorities added that alleged misappropriation happened between 2014 and 2018.

“The Serious Commercial Crime Investigation charged with probing the allegations executed search seizure warrants, 08 March 2024 at the South African Football Association’s office where an assortment of electronic gadgets and files were seized for further investigation, thus leading to the arrest,” the statement reads.

Gronie Hluyo, SAFA chief financial officer, and Trevor Neethling were also arrested.

The trio are due to appear in court later on Wednesday.