Boxing legend Mike Tyson will undergo a full medical investigation ahead of his highly anticipated fight against social media personality Jake Paul. Tyson’s last professional bout was in 2005, when he lost to Kevin McBride, after which he announced his retirement in an emotional post-fight interview.
However, he did participate in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr four years ago. Regarded as one of the all-time greats in the heavyweight division, Tyson is set to make a comeback on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.
The fight was initially scheduled for earlier this year but was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues, including an ulcer flare-up on a flight, which left him fearing for his life.
In a recent Netflix documentary, Tyson recounted the incident, stating that he collapsed in the aeroplane bathroom and coughed up blood, saying: “A week and a half ago I was training and I was doing great but then all of a sudden I started feeling tired. I was explaining to my trainer, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me’.
“Coming here from Miami on the plane, I went to the bathroom and I threw up blood. The next thing I know I’m on the floor, I was defecating tar. So I came here and they found I had a big ulcer, two-and-a-half inches, and it was bleeding. All my friends were calling me like I was dying.
“I asked the doctor if I was going to die and she didn’t say no. She said we have options though, and that’s when I got nervous. I can’t wait to get out of this motherf***er, man. God, I want to fight and start training. I don’t want to die in the hospital bedroom, I want to die in the ring.
“You wouldn’t believe what I endured from my ulcer. I lost 26 pounds, can you imagine that? I was so p***ed off because I had peaked. I was good, talking s***, ready.”
In an interview with World Boxing News, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Communications Manager Tela Goodwin Mange confirmed that the medical staff will oversee a full investigation into Tyson’s health issues. “Thorough pre-fight physicals will be conducted by TDLR-appointed physicians, who will discuss Mr Tyson’s medical history with him,” said Mange.
The upcoming Friday bout will pit Paul against Tyson in a unique professional boxing match, featuring eight two-minute rounds rather than the usual three-minute ones. Despite public calls for a 10-round fight with three-minute rounds, and Paul’s own challenge to his opponent, the rules are set and won’t be altered.
The TDLR has given the green light for the event. Both fighters will don 14-ounce gloves, which is heavier than the standard boxing gloves.
Since the announcement of this heavyweight clash, Paul has faced significant backlash for agreeing to the fight. Addressing the sceptics, Paul told TODAY: “A lot of people are wondering ‘Jake, why are you doing this? Even if you beat him, they’re going to say he’s old’. But to me, Mike Tyson wanted to fight me.
“That is an honour. He’s one of the most famous boxers in the world to ever do it. To step in there with someone of his nature is an honour and a dream come true. It’s going to be a spectacle on Netflix.”