It’s the slap worth $30 million.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has offered Will Smith and Chris Rock $15 million each to box, following their slap controversy at Sunday’s Oscars.
Violence broke out when Smith stormed up to host Rock and slapped him for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith‘s hair just minutes before he won Best Actor. A rambling, sobbing acceptance speech led Smith to say “love makes you do crazy things.” However, the Fresh Prince actor did not apologize to Rock—just the Academy and his fellow nominees.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth,” Smith could be heard saying when he made his way back to his seat.
Rock replied, “I’m going to, ok?” prior to some nervous laughter and then, “That was the greatest night in the history of television.”
About a half-hour later, Smith was given the Best Actor award and apologized, though not to Rock. Rock declined to press charges.
“I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” Smith said in his acceptance speech. “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said. I look like the crazy father just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.
“I’m hoping the Academy invites me back. Thank you.”
Paul, unbeaten in five pro fights, tweeted, “Nah this is crazy ahah.”
He added an offer for $15 million each to Smith and Rock to box on the undercard of his August fight against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Paul’s last fight came in December 2021 when he “embarrassed” former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
