Mike Tyson has revealed he “almost died” prior to his big boxing match against Jake Paul.
Now, when we all heard that a 58-year-old Tyson was going to be stepping back into the ring against somebody 31 years his junior in what would be his first professional boxing bout for 19 years, many of us were hoping that the former world champ still had it.
Tyson showed glimpses of his former self, but his performance was lacking. Credit: Al Bello/Getty/Netflix
Could Tyson really still possess the unmatched ferocity he displayed in his youth that made him the youngest world champion in history?
Sadly… no.
When Tyson stepped between the ropes on Friday night – in front of 72,000 fans at the AT&T Stadium in Texas and an estimated 120 million watching from home – it was clear he’d had a few rounds with Father Time first.
As a result, the Tyson v. Paul fight failed to live up to the hype, and despite going eight two-minute rounds, the action has been described by fans as “slow”, “sluggish”, and outright “boring”.
Paul was eventually ruled the winner by unanimous judges’ decision.
Jake Paul can say he has defeated Mike Tyson. Credit: Stephen McCarthy / Getty
In his post-fight interview in the ring, Tyson – looking rather dejected at his loss – was asked by Ariel Helwani about his knee brace and possible injury, with the fighter responding: “Yeah, but I can’t use that for an excuse, because – if I did – I wouldn’t be in here.”
However, it looks like Tyson has endured so much more than a knee injury before stepping back in the ring. At the end of May earlier this year, in was widely reported that Tyson has suffered a medical emergency while on a plane.
But he assured fans he could still go, tweeting on May 28: “Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”
Mike Tyson suffered a medical emergency back in May. Credit: X
But it seems that Tyson went through more than any of us could have imagined, as he has opened up about “almost dying” back in June.
Taking to X, Tyson wrote: “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.”
Tyson continued: “I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.”
The legendary boxer then opened up about the importance of having his family there on Friday night to watch him perform.
Mike Tyson opened up about his near-death experience. Credit: X
“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for,” he wrote. “Thank you.”
Paul later responded to Tyson’s tweet, saying: “Love you, Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
Whatever you thought about Tyson’s performance, you have to admire his courage for attempting to turn back time and get back in the ring… and take home one heck of a pay check.
