Mike Tyson nearly lost his life to a severe ulcer during a mid-flight emergency in May, delaying his comeback fight against Jake Paul to November 15 as he recovered through multiple blood transfusions and intense health challenges.
Mike Tyson’s brush with death: Terrifying mid-flight emergency that nearly ended his fight with Jake Paul
In a shocking turn of events, boxing legend Mike Tyson recently shared gritty details about a near-death experience he faced back in May, which delayed his highly anticipated fight with Jake Paul. Originally set for July 20, the fight had to be pushed to November 15 after Tyson suffered a severe medical incident on a cross-country flight.
Speaking candidly with New York Magazine, Tyson, 58, revealed the gravity of his ordeal. “I was in the bathroom throwing up blood,” he said. “I asked the doctor, ‘Am I going to die?’ He told me, ‘We have options.’ Options? I couldn’t believe it.” Tyson ended up needing eight blood transfusions after losing almost half his blood. “I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. Couldn’t eat. Only liquids. Every time I went to the bathroom, it smelled like tar. It was disgusting,” he admitted. The former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with a two-and-a-half-inch ulcer, which threw off his training, making it an uphill battle to regain his strength and stamina.
Reflecting on his resilience, Tyson added, “I just don’t give up. I’m an asshole sometimes. I’m a dick. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into my friends.”
Returning to the Ring After 19 Years, How Will Mike Tyson Challenge Jake Paul?
The upcoming fight will be Tyson’s first professional appearance since retiring in 2005 with an impressive 50-6 record. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Jake Paul, with only one loss in his 11-fight career, is set to face one of boxing’s most iconic and unpredictable figures.
Tyson’s journey through this frightening health scare and his drive to return to the ring have added yet another layer of drama to this already hyped match, which fans eagerly await.