For months, the most anticipated fight in professional boxing was the bout between 27-year-old Jake Paul and 57-year-old Mike Tyson. Scheduled for July 20 and set to be streamed on Netflix, this match had captivated the entire boxing world. Unfortunately, as of May 31, the fight has been postponed.
The biggest fear leading up to this fight was whether Tyson would be medically cleared to participate. Regrettably, he is currently not in a condition to fight.
Tyson’s team and various reports claim that his recent health scare was a flare-up and that he had been feeling great until then. However, other reports suggest otherwise.
The fight has yet to be rescheduled. On May 31, both Paul and Tyson announced that they would reveal a new date the following week, which means an update should come in the next few days.
Tyson’s Medical Scare on May 27 Four days before the fight was officially postponed, Tyson suffered a medical emergency on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. The New York Post reported that Tyson’s representatives stated he became nauseous and dizzy from an ulcer flare-up about thirty minutes before landing.
The incident delayed passengers from disembarking for 25 minutes while medical professionals attended to Tyson. Fortunately, his representatives later stated that Tyson was “doing great.”
This incident is thought to be the reason for the fight’s postponement. According to the fight promoter’s statement, “Following a follow-up consultation on Thursday with medical professionals regarding his recent ulcer flare-up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to engage in minimal to light training over the next few weeks, before resuming full training with no restrictions.”
With Tyson unable to train, he cannot fight someone like Jake Paul. Tyson had been training intensely before this incident. Following the announcement of the postponement, Tyson reiterated that he’s in excellent shape, claiming, “My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s, and I will be back to my full training schedule soon.”
Health Risks Tyson Faces USA Today’s Josh Peter interviewed seven gastroenterologists, who emphasized the seriousness of Tyson’s condition. While none of these doctors are treating Tyson personally, they recommended a recovery period of three to six weeks to fully treat the issue. One doctor mentioned that an untreated ulcer could require emergency surgery, a worst-case scenario for Tyson. Given the postponement, it appears Tyson’s ulcer will not go untreated.
Potential Causes of the Ulcer According to Peter’s report, the leading causes of ulcers are bacterial infections and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Five of the seven doctors speculated that Tyson might have been using NSAIDs for pain relief due to his intensive training, which could have led to the ulcer.
Reactions to the Paul-Tyson Postponement
Dana White: “No Comment” In a press conference, Dana White, a close friend of Tyson’s, refrained from discussing the fight publicly. “For the first time probably ever in my life, I have no comment on something. That’s Mike’s world, and you know, he gets pissed at me every time I talk about that stuff. Good for him, and they’ll figure it out.”
White, who had been vocal against Tyson returning to the ring to fight Jake Paul, seems relieved that Tyson is taking his doctors’ advice. His statement, “Good for him,” suggests approval of Tyson prioritizing his health.
Jake Paul: Hoping to Knock Out Mike Tyson In an Instagram video, Jake Paul expressed disappointment over Tyson’s health issues. Surprisingly respectful, Paul emphasized that Tyson’s health is more important than the fight. Calling the news “devastating,” Paul remained confident that the fight will still happen. “This may have bought you some time,” Paul said, “but in the end, you will still be knocked out.”
