Mike Tyson makes sobering admission about why he went through with Jake Paul fight despite almost dying in build-up
Mike Tyson has revealed the reason behind why he went through with his fight against Jake Paul.
The legendary heavyweight, 58, previously explained that he 'almost died' in the lead up to his clash with 'The Problem Child', causing it to be postponed.
The pair were initially scheduled to go head-to-head in July last year, but it was delayed until November following the boxing champ's health scare.
Tyson became unwell on a flight to Los Angeles at the end of May, which he later said was due to an 'ulcer flare-up'.
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He was later medically cleared to face off with his opponent Paul, who is 30 years his junior - but he lost by unanimous decision, taking his record to 50 wins and seven losses.
Despite the defeat, Tyson said he 'still won' and had 'no regrets' about getting into the ring one last time, especially as he almost lost his life months earlier.
In a post shared on X on 16 November, the day after the clash which was the most streamed sporting event in history took place, he wrote: "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.
"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. Thank you."
In the lead up to the fight, fans had expressed fears for Tyson as he prepared to take on his significantly younger opponent.
A lot of people reckoned that the 'Baddest Man on the Planet' should have bowed out of the clash - but the bumper payday he knew was coming his way probably enticed him to stay.
However, it turns out there was another reason that Tyson persevered with the fight, as he has now revealed that he was concerned he would be sued if he withdrew himself.
In an interview with Sean Hannity for Fox Nation, the boxing champ explained: "I was worried about getting sued, you know.
"I was like, 'God, they're going to sue me if I don't do this fight'. I had a bloody ulcer, like three inches. Kept bleeding and bleeding.
"And I had to have, what, 10 blood transfusions? Each time I do this, I was like the same doing Roy Jones as doing this one.
"My wife sees me screaming because my body is in so much pain. And I come home, I'm like, 'Ah, ah!' I promised I wouldn't do this to myself."
Tyson's spouse Lakiha Spicer is ready for him to hang up his boxing gloves for good, according to the boxer's son Amir.
Speaking after his father's fight against Paul, the 27-year-old said: "I think he's done. My step-mom, she's saying he's done and they're a team. That's husband and wife stuff."
Just a couple of weeks ago, Tyson admitted he wasn't sure whether he was completely back on his feet yet after the fight in November.
Speaking to the New York Post on 25 January, he said: "I feel pretty good... I don’t know if I’m 100 percent recovered, but I feel good."
However, he said he was intending to get back into training this month - although he has no intention of returning to the ring, adding: "I’m just getting in shape."
Tyson officially retired in 2005, but returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr before later taking on Paul.
Topics: Celebrity, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Sport, Boxing, Health
Olivia Burke