The women behind the world’s biggest boxing fight: Mike Tyson’s third wife spent time in prison while pregnant but helped him kick drugs, while Jake Paul’s girlfriend is a stunning Olympian who got him out of ‘a dark place’ saved

When Jake Paul and Mike Tyson enter the ring for their highly anticipated fight this weekend, there will be two women who will have a higher stress level than their partners in the ring.

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 their eyes on AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday night.

It took a long time. The blockbuster fight was originally scheduled for July, but Tyson, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, was forced to withdraw due to an ulcer problem.

Throughout the entire debacle, both Paul’s fiancée Jutta Leerdam and Tyson’s wife Lakiha Spicer have been by their side. Come fight, 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 settle their differences in the ring on November 15

Tyson’s third wife Lakiha Spencer (left) may make a rare appearance to attend the big fight

While Paul is now dating Dutch skater Jutta Leerdam (right) after they became official last year

Who are they?

Leerdam and Spicer couldn’t be more different. While Paul’s girlfriend follows his extravagant lifestyle in the public eye, Tyson’s other half likes to keep out of the bright lights of fame.

There is a reason why Leerdam attracts publicity. The 25-year-old is a highly successful athlete who has won world championships and even won an Olympic silver medal in speed skating at the 2022 Winter Games.

The Dutch-born Leerdam’s achievements on the ice rink have opened many doors for her. She has followed in her boyfriend’s footsteps and has become something of a social media sensation.

The Dutch skater, who has been labeled by the Dutch media as ‘the most popular skater in the world’, has amassed more than four and a half million Instagram followers. She regularly posts photos of her competitions, her outgoing life with Paul, or showing off her glamorous getaways.

Meanwhile, Spicer leads a very different life. The 47-year-old is an entrepreneur, author and business owner, who 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 was in trouble with the law when they met and was serving 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 with her husband as she likes to keep a low profile, but she is expected to be there in Texas cheering on ‘the baddest man in the world’ .

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 million followers and shows off her glamorous outings

More often than not, Spicer stays away from the cameras and is captured alone with Tyson

How did they meet?

Paul was rumored to be dating spectacular skater Leerdam in March 2023 when the pair were caught packing on the PDA during a romantic date night in Miami, Florida.

It didn’t take long for the Dutch star to confirm they were an item. She shared photos of her meeting with the social media sensation turned boxer on Instagram the following month.

Paul and Leerdam have been together for a year and a half now and the YouTuber has even hinted at marrying the Olympian and starting a family.

The fighter was previously engaged twice to social media stars Tana Mongeau and Julia Rose. However, his ‘marriage’ to Mongeau was not legally binding and he quit with Rose before they had a chance to walk down the aisle.

However, Tyson and Spicer have been together much longer. The couple met in 1998 when ‘Iron Mike’ was 28 and his current wife was just 18. At the time, he was married to his second wife Monica Spencer.

They reportedly began an “on-and-off” affair in the early 2000s, while Tyson was still married to Spencer. He would get divorced in 2003 and Spicer would soon become his girlfriend.

Their relationship would become complicated when ‘Kiki’ was sent to prison, as the then 31-year-old discovered she was pregnant with Tyson’s baby just a week before sentencing.

After her release, the couple married in June 2009 and now have two children together: their daughter Milan, who was born the same year as their wedding, and a son named Morocco Elijah, born two years later.

Paul and Leerdam confirmed their romance in April 2023 after being papped on the PDA, which they still do now

The athletic duo has been together for over a year and a half now and can no longer be separated

Spicer and Tyson have been married for 15 years, but first met in 1998 when the boxer married his second wife.

Tyson has two children with his wife, including daughter Milan (left) who Spicer was pregnant with while in prison in 2009

Their impact on Paul and Tyson

Leerdam’s ultra-competitive nature, born from her willingness and ability to win at the elite level, has had a positive effect on Paul. During their relationship, he went from wannabe boxer to dedicated athlete.

When the couple started dating, Paul was coming off his first and only professional defeat to Tommy Fury. He was going through a difficult time mentally and did not know how to deal with the shortcoming.

However, Paul’s relationship with Leerdam helped get him through the storm during that period and he has admitted that her love pulled him out of a “dark place.”

“She is one of the purest people I have met in my life,” Paul shared on his YouTube channel in April 2023. ‘[She’s] so genuine and she just changed my perspective and helped me come out of this loss when I was in a dark place.”

Spicer has also had a similarly positive impact on her husband. When she got out of prison fifteen years ago, Tyson was deep in a drug addiction, regularly consuming cocaine and alcohol.

However, his third wife would help him change his life and get him off substances. The former undisputed heavyweight champion once claimed he would be a ‘wild animal’ if it weren’t for his wife.

He credits Spicer with saving his life after going through a dark period early in their 15-year marriage.

Tyson once told People magazine: “I’m very happy that me and my wife got together because I don’t know how I would have survived out there.”

Jake Paul’s only professional loss to Tommy Fury left him in a ‘dark place’

But the fighter admitted that Leerdam’s love helped him overcome his mental battle

Tyson (pictured in 2009) was deeply involved in 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 financially. Not because of their wealthy partners, but because of their personal exploits.

The Dutch skater’s achievements on the ice rink and her popularity on social media have earned her a fortune. It is estimated that she is worth $5 million (£3.8 million). Meanwhile, it has been reported that her boyfriend Paul is currently worth around $38 million.

Meanwhile, Spicer isn’t doing too bad himself. Several websites have predicted that her net worth will be around $1 to 3 million thanks to her boutique store.

With Tyson set to rake in around £15 million from this upcoming fight, their family fortune is set to rise even further.