Mike Tyson was allowed to fight Jake Paul on Friday night despite nearly dying over the summer.
Tyson revealed Saturday on X that he nearly died in June and had to undergo several blood transfusions.
“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 posted. “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.”
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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.
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) November 16, 2024
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…
Friday night’s boxing match at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium was originally scheduled for July but was postponed due to what promoters called at the time “an ulcer flare-up” for Tyson.
However, it was much more serious than that.
“Coming here from Miami on the plane, I went to the bathroom, and I threw up blood, next thing I know, I’m on the floor and I was defecating tar,” Tyson told New York Magazine. “So, I came here [to the hospital] and they found out I had a big ulcer — two-and-a-half inches and it’s bleeding. All of 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 mother****** man, I want to fight and get back to training.”
Why was Mike Tyson still allowed to box?
Questions are being raised about why a 58-year-old Tyson was allowed to fight an opponent more than 20 years his junior. after his health scare.
The fight was widely panned as Tyson showed every bit of his age in the ring. Tyson and Paul went the full eight rounds, with Paul winning by unanimous decision.
Paul responded to Tyson’s post on X, saying, “Love you, Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
Love you Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 16, 2024
Reports indicate Paul made $40 million from the fight, while Tyson took home $20 million.