Jake Paul has built some momentum heading into his highly-anticipated clash with Mike Tyson on November 15 after appearing to floor his sparring partner during a training session

Jake Paul’s sparring partner has spoken out after footage of him being dropped by ‘The Problem Child’ went viral.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is currently in training ahead of his blockbuster clash with Mike Tyson, which takes place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15. Despite previously fighting as a cruiserweight, Paul has been bulking up to heavyweight in preparation for the match and has been sharing his progress on social media.

Last month, he uploaded a clip of himself knocking down a fighter during a sparring session. Reaction to the video was mixed, with some fans accusing Paul, 27, of training with an inexperienced opponent, but it later turned out to be DeAndre Savage, an undefeated heavyweight ranked 15th in the world by the WBA.

For the first time since the video, which amassed over 10million views on Instagram alone, gained traction, Savage has taken to social media to speak publicly. The 34-year-old didn’t mention the viral clip but expressed how grateful he was to have been part of Paul’s training team.

“I want to give a big thanks to the sport of boxing for helping me get paid to travel all over the world,” he wrote. “I also want to thank my coach @3rdworldboxing who is the head trainer of Jake Paul for selling me my first home.

“I want to thank @jakepaul for helping me make the money to purchase my first home that sits on 1.5 acres of land, with a big pole barn in the back yard. This year has been a great year by far. Big fights are on the way, stay tuned.”

Paul (R) hit Savage with a brutal overhand right

Savage then drops to one knee before the clip is cut short
In the video, Savage gets hit by an overhand right, similar to the one Paul knocked Tyron Woodley out with back in 2021, and drops to one knee. It isn’t clear whether or not he was knocked to the floor because the clip was cut short. Paul then taunted Tyson in the caption, telling the former heavyweight champion to “take notes”.

Tyson has since responded to the footage and accused Paul of ‘faking’ it. “You seen his sparring session where the guy faked being knocked out? That was beautiful,” he said in a recent interview with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo.

Meanwhile, a clip of Tyson flooring his sparring partner went viral last week, prompting fans to urge Paul to pull out of the contest.

Michigan native Savage turned pro in 2021 after four years on the amateur circuit. He’s since clinched six knockout victories from eight fights, with the two fights ending in no contests.

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A post shared by DeAndre Savage (@road_to_riches_sav)

Paul, meanwhile, has 10 wins from 11 professional fights. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury, brother of Tyson Fury, back in 2023.

His clash with Tyson, 58, is his first against a high-profile career boxer, but one who hasn’t fought professionally in nearly 20 years. ‘Iron Mike’ did, however, take part in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr four years ago, and has stayed in fighting shape ever since.

Tyson vs Paul was initially scheduled for July, but had to be postponed when the former suffered an ulcer flare-up during training.