Doctors Address Jake Paul’s Steroid Accusations Ahead of Tyson Fight
3 min readJulio Aguilar/Getty Images
Jake Paul, the YouTube star turned professional boxer, has found himself at the center of controversy once again, with fresh accusations of steroid use resurfacing as his much-anticipated bout against boxing legend Mike Tyson draws near.
The fight, scheduled for November 15, will take place during Netflix’s first-ever live combat sports event, and has already garnered significant attention. Originally planned for July 20, the bout was delayed after the 58-year-old Tyson suffered a health setback due to an ulcer flare-up in May. Despite the excitement surrounding the fight, there have been concerns for Tyson’s health at this stage in his life. However, the spotlight is also on Jake Paul, and not for his boxing skills alone.
The steroid accusations were reignited by former MMA fighter Dillon Danis, who posted a picture on social media of Jake Paul with visible acne, captioning it, “Steroids are bad kids.” The image has drawn scrutiny from both fans and medical professionals, with many wondering if the acne could be a sign of steroid use.
Steroids are bad kids. pic.twitter.com/4gVGCj7E1s
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) August 6, 2024Advertisement
New York-based physician Dr. Stuart Fischer weighed in on the matter, describing the photo as “definitely suspicious.” Dr. Fischer explained that steroid use can cause skin problems, such as acne, due to hormonal fluctuations and the weakening of the skin. He added that steroids can also lead to hair loss, which raises further questions about Jake Paul’s potential use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Another expert, sports performance nutritionist Tom Coughlin, echoed Fischer’s concerns, noting that Jake Paul would “have a reason” to use steroids to enhance his performance, particularly in a high-stakes fight like his recent TKO victory against Mike Perry. Coughlin pointed out that Jake might not face the same level of scrutiny as a professional athlete, leaving the door open for potential drug use.
However, despite the suspicions, neither expert could definitively say that Jake Paul is using steroids based solely on the image. Dr. Fischer emphasized that while the photo may raise eyebrows, it is not concrete evidence without proper testing.
The steroid accusations are nothing new for Jake Paul, who has faced similar claims throughout his boxing career. In 2023, former UFC fighter Nate Diaz publicly accused him of “being on the juice,” adding fuel to the ongoing debate.
JAKE PAUL CAUGHT ON STEROID? 👀‼️
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) February 1, 2024
People thinks so due to recent acne photo. pic.twitter.com/COpNXcGLPC
Even Jake’s older brother, Logan Paul, addressed the accusations in an awkward exchange during a lie-detector test in June. During the test, Logan asked Jake if he was on performance-enhancing drugs. Jake jokingly responded, “If taking Viagra counts, then yes. It’s performance-enhancing, brother.” When asked again more seriously, Jake firmly denied using steroids, and the test proctor confirmed that Jake was telling the truth.
As the fight with Mike Tyson approaches, the steroid allegations continue to hover over Jake Paul’s career. While no definitive proof has emerged, the suspicions and speculations surrounding the boxer have cast a shadow over his meteoric rise in the boxing world.
With the eyes of the world on him, it remains to be seen whether these accusations will affect his performance or his reputation. Regardless, Jake Paul continues to push forward, ready to face one of boxing’s most iconic figures in a match that will undoubtedly be remembered for more than just the punches thrown inside the ring.