Mike Tyson, at 57 years old (and 58 by the time of the fight), actually making it inside the ring at AT&T Stadium on fight night, with no complications, for his heavily-anticipated bout against Jake Paul was certainly never a given.
Well, just two and a half weeks after their first press conference, a complication arose.
The bout is postponed and will no longer take place on July 20 as expected after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare up while onboard a plane from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday.
A new date for the fight is set to be announced on June 7, according to Most Valuable Promotions, Paul’s promotional company who is organizing the event.
The new fight is expected to remain at AT&T Stadium.
“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 flareup, 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. I appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable performance later this year.”
Tyson had posted on Tuesday that he was “feeling 100 percent” after the flare-up, and Paul, a 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, had originally said after the medical scare that “nothing changed” about the status of the fight.
The bout is an officially sanctioned heavyweight fight that will count on both their professional records.
It is set to be streamed live on Netflix with no additional pay-per-view for subscribers, when — or if — it actually takes place.
Tyson has not fought a professional fight since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride, though he did fight Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition in 2020, which ended in a split-draw.
Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date, and those who can’t attend will be eligible for a refund.
“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Jake Paul said. “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.”
