When Jake Paul and Mike Tyson step into the ring for their highly anticipated battle this weekend, there will be two women who will have higher stress levels than their ring partners.
While the fight between social media star Paul and the legendary Tyson may have been hailed as controversial due to the 31-year age difference, the entire boxing world will almost certainly have its eyes on AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday night.
It’s been a long time coming. The blockbuster fight was originally scheduled for July, but former two-time world heavyweight champion Tyson had to withdraw due to an ulcer problem.
Throughout the debacle, both Paul’s fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, and Tyson’s wife, Lakiha Spicer, have been by his side. When fight night arrives, we will see the stars enter the arena hand in hand with their loved ones.
But who are Leerdam and Spicer? Mail Sport takes a look at the two women behind two of the biggest names in boxing.
Mike Tyson (left) and Jake Paul (right) will resolve their differences in the ring on November 15
Tyson’s third wife, Lakiha Spencer (left), could make a rare appearance to watch the big fight.
While Paul is now dating Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam (right) after they became official last year.
Who are they?
Leerdam and Spicer couldn’t be much more different. While Paul’s girlfriend continues her extravagant lifestyle in the public eye, Tyson’s other half likes to stay away from the bright lights of fame.
There’s a reason Leerdam attracts publicity. The 25-year-old is a highly successful athlete who has won world championship titles and even an Olympic silver medal in speed skating at the 2022 Winter Games.
Born in Holland, Leerdam’s achievements on the track have opened many doors for her. She has followed in her boyfriend’s footsteps and become something of a social media sensation.
The Dutch skater, who has been dubbed the “most popular speed skater in the world” by Dutch media, has amassed more than four and a half followers on Instagram. She regularly posts photos of herself competing, living her outgoing life with Paul, or showing off her glamorous escapades.
Meanwhile, Spicer lives a very different life. The 47-year-old is an entrepreneur, author and business owner, has no social media and is rarely seen with her husband.
She is Tyson’s third wife and their relationship got off to a rocky start. Sprcer got into trouble with the law when they met and served a six-month prison sentence in 2008 after becoming embroiled in a fraud and conspiracy case.
Spicer, also known as ‘Kiki’, is rarely seen in public unless she is with her husband as she likes to keep a low profile, but is expected to be there in Texas to cheer on the ‘baddest man on the planet’ .
Leerdham is a speed skating champion and won Olympic silver at the 2022 Winter Games.
Paul’s other half is also known for her Instagram account, where she has four and a half followers and showcases her glamorous escapades.
Spicer stays away from the cameras most of the time and is only photographed with Tyson.
How did you meet?
Paul sparked relationship rumors with skater stunner Leerdam in March 2023 when the couple was caught packing on the PDA during a romantic date night in Miami, Florida.
It didn’t take long for the Dutch star to confirm that they were a couple. She shared photos of herself flirting with the social media sensation turned boxer on Instagram the following month.
Paul and Leerdam have been together for a year and a half and the YouTuber has even hinted that she will marry the Olympic athlete and start a family.
The wrestler was already engaged twice to social media stars Tana Mongeau and Julia Rose. However, her ‘marriage’ to Mongeau was not legally binding and she broke up with Rose before they had a chance to walk down the aisle.
Tyson and Spicer, however, have been together much longer. In fact, the couple met in 1998, when ‘Iron Mike’ was 28 years old and his current wife was just 18. At the time, he was married to his second wife, Monica Spencer.
They reportedly began an on-again, off-again affair in the early 2000s, while Tyson was still married to Spencer. He would divorce in 2003 and Spicer would soon become his girlfriend.
Their relationship would become complicated when ‘Kiki’ was sent to prison when the then 31-year-old discovered she was pregnant with Tyson’s baby just a week before sentencing.
Following his release, the couple married in June 2009 and now have two children together: daughter Milan, who was born the same year as their marriage, and a son named Morocco Elijah, born two years later.
Paul and Leerdam confirmed their romance in April 2023 after they were left packing on the PDA, which they still do now.
The athletic couple has been together for more than a year and a half and they cannot be separated.
Spicer and Tyson have been married 15 years, but originally met in 1998, when the boxer was married to his second wife.
Tyson has two children with his wife, including daughter Milan (left), with whom Spicer was pregnant while in prison in 2009.
His impact on Paul and Tyson
Leerdam’s ultra-competitive nature, born of his will and ability to win at the elite level, has had a positive effect on Paul. During their relationship, he went from an “aspiring boxer” to a committed athlete.
When the couple began dating, Paul was coming off his first and only professional loss against Tommy Fury. I was going through a difficult time mentally, not knowing how to handle the lack.
However, Paul’s relationship with Leerdam helped him weather the storm during that period and he admitted that their love brought him out of a “dark place.”
“She is one of the purest-hearted human beings I have ever met in my life,” Paul said on his YouTube channel in April 2023. “(She) is so genuine and just changed my perspective and helped me get through this loss.” when I was in a dark place.”
Spicer has also had a similar positive impact on her husband. When he was released from prison 15 years ago, Tyson was deeply mired in a drug addiction in which he regularly used cocaine and alcohol.
However, his third wife would help him change his life and help him quit substances. The former undisputed heavyweight champion once claimed he would be a “wild animal” if it weren’t for his wife.
He credits Spicer for saving his life after going through a dark period early in his 15-year marriage.
Tyson once told the American magazine People: “I’m very happy that my wife and I were together because I don’t know how I would have survived there.”
Jake Paul’s only professional loss against Tommy Fury took him to a ‘dark place’
But the fighter admitted that Leerdam’s love helped him get out of his mental struggles.
Tyson (pictured in 2009) was mired in a drug addiction at the start of his marriage to Spicer.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion once claimed he would be a “wild animal” if it weren’t for his wife.
net worth
As you can probably guess, both Leerdam and Spicer are doing well on the financial front. Not because of his rich partners but because of his personal exploits.
The Dutch skater’s exploits on the track and her popularity on social media have earned her a fortune. It is estimated to be worth $5 million (£3.8 million). Meanwhile, her boyfriend Paul is currently reported to be worth around $38 million (£30 million).
Meanwhile, Spicer isn’t doing too bad. Various websites have predicted that her wealth will be between $1 million and $3 million due to her boutique.
With Tyson set to rake in approximately £15 million from this upcoming fight, his family’s wealth will soar even further.