Mike Tyson’s ulcer flare-up postpones Jake Paul fight. 57-year-old must rest ‘for a few weeks’
An ulcer flare-up will stop 57-year-old Mike Tyson from fighting 27-year-old Jake Paul in July.
The legendary boxer’s July 20 Netflix bout with the YouTube influencer-turned-boxer has been postponed after he suffered a medical emergency Sunday on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. A new date for the fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will be announced June 7.
“During a follow-up consultation on Thursday with medical professionals on his recent ulcer flare-up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” event promoter Most Valuable Promotions said in a statement. “Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level.
“The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.”
On the plane, Tyson became “nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare-up 30 minutes before landing,” a representative for the former undisputed heavyweight champion said in a statement to The Times on Monday. First responders met American Airlines flight 1815 after it landed at LAX “due to the medical needs of a customer,” an airline statement said.
“Thankfully Mr. Tyson is doing great,” his publicist said Monday in a statement.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, 57, has been preparing to fight YouTuber Jake Paul, 27, on Netflix on July 20.
Earlier in the week, it seemed like Tyson’s heavyweight bout against Paul would proceed as scheduled. On Tuesday, Tyson provided a medical update as well as a little trash talk.
“Now feeling 100%,” Tyson wrote on on social media, “even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”
Tyson now says he has to wait to fight Paul.
“I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time,” Tyson said in a statement. “Unfortunately, due to my ulcer flare-up, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover.
“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. Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end, you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good.”
Jake Paul has been criticized for facing no-name boxers. The 27-year-old’s next bout is against all-time great Mike Tyson, who will be 58 for the July 20 match on Netflix.
Paul is OK with waiting too.
“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul said in a statement. “My fans know I don’t want to face Iron Mike at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake — when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish. Paul vs. Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup.”
The bout has been classified as a sanctioned, professional fight by the Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulations, taking place over eight two-minute rounds with each fighter wearing 14-ounce gloves.
Tyson is considered an all-time great, but he is several decades past his prime. He retired as a professional with a 50-6 record and 44 knockouts in 2005 — Paul was 8 at the time — and last fought in a 2020 exhibition against former champion Roy Jones Jr., which was declared a draw.
Paul (9-1, 6 KO) has been criticized for facing opponents who are either not boxers by trade, including several aging mixed martial arts stars, or unknown boxers.
An attorney representing Mike Tyson says his client won’t pay $450,000 to a man who appeared to be punched by Tyson on a JetBlue plane last year.
Former World Boxing Council light-middleweight champion and current DAZN commentator Sergio Mora told The Times on Tuesday that he thinks the fight “is not gonna end well for Mike Tyson and his legacy.”
“He’s almost a senior citizen, smokes weed — you know, he lives his best life,” Mora said of Tyson, who will turn 58 on June 30. “Jake Paul’s taking boxing seriously. He has the money to actually have great minds and great camps and the best nutrition. He’s a strong, naturally gifted athlete. He can pick up stuff pretty quickly, better and faster than a lot of people.”
Mora added of Tyson’s recent medical emergency: “I think this might be a blessing in disguise where some red flags will start being popped up. ... If something happens to Mike, it’s not gonna be a good thing for everybody that supported him” in the bout against Paul.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
