Mike Tyson has reportedly suffered a medical scare during a cross-country flight in the USA, less than two months before he is scheduled to face Jake Paul in his high-profile boxing comeback.
American outlet In Touch Weekly first reported on Monday that the former undisputed heavyweight world champion had a medical emergency on a delayed flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday night, with eyewitnesses reporting an announcement asking for a doctor before paramedics boarded the plane following its landing at LAX.
In a statement subsequently delivered to the New York Post, Tyson’s representatives insisted that the 57-year-old was now doing well after an ulcer issue caused him to become nauseous and dizzy towards the end of the flight.
“Thankfully Mr. Tyson is doing great,” the statement read. “He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare-up 30 minutes before landing.
“He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.
“However, it’s false reporting that his medical attention caused the flight delay. This two-hour delay was due to an air conditioning issue on the aircraft.”
Tyson is in the midst of preparing for his sensational and controversial return to the sport where he remains one of the most iconic figures, 19 years since the last of his 58 professional fights when he retired on his stool against Ireland’s Kevin McBride in Washington DC.
It was announced back in early March that ‘Iron Mike’ would be coming out of retirement to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in a blockbuster contest to be held at the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas - home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys - on July 20, screened live on Netflix.
It will be Tyson’s first involvement in the ring since he fought an eight-round exhibition draw against fellow legendary ex-boxing champion Roy Jones Jr in LA in 2020, with Paul knocking out basketball player Nate Robinson in only his second professional bout on the undercard at Staples Center.
It was initially unclear if the fight, which pits Tyson against a man 31 years his junior, would be another exhibition or a professional contest, until confirmation arrived last month that it had been officially sanctioned as a pro bout by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The fight will consist of eight rounds lasting two minutes each, with heavier 14-ounce gloves and no headgear to be worn.
Taking to social media website X on Monday, Paul appeared to suggest there was no chance of the showdown now being called off.
“You love to make s**t up before knowing the facts for clicks/likes. Nothing changed #PaulTyson,” he wrote.
