The much-anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is facing increasing uncertainty, with growing concerns that it could be canceled entirely. The bout, which has already faced significant criticism from the combat sports community, was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues, particularly an ulcer flare-up.
Jake Paul’s scheduled fight with the legendary ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson has been the subject of controversy since its announcement. UFC President Dana White labeled the match “ridiculous,” while boxing icon Floyd Mayweather Jr accused Paul of “stealing money” with such events. Despite these criticisms, the fight has garnered substantial attention.
The initial postponement occurred after Mike Tyson, 57, was advised by his doctors to reduce his training intensity and recover from a minor ulcer issue. Although the rescheduled date for the fight is expected to be announced on June 7, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix has reported that there is significant apprehension about the fight’s viability.
“There is genuine concern from people that are also on the card, I mean, there are another number of fights that are on the card, about this specific card moving forward,” Mannix stated during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. “They’re saying it’s a minor ulcer issue, but I don’t think anything’s minor at that stage of your life, especially when it comes to putting yourself in the proper shape to fight a professional boxing match.”
Mannix further revealed that the plan is to potentially reschedule the fight for October or November. He has been closely monitoring Tyson’s activities in New York and noted that the former heavyweight champion was reportedly in “intensive training mode,” which may have exacerbated his medical condition.
“There is some concern among people involved in the fight that the Paul-Tyson fight might not go through at all, and some of the fighters on this card might be looking for lifeboats to appear on other cards going forward,” he explained. “I don’t think it’s completely off. It’s certainly not out of the question, but again, there are people involved expressing skepticism that this specific fight is gonna move forward.”
Despite these concerns, the fight is still on the schedule, with the new date announcement imminent. Should the fight proceed, it will also mark Netflix’s entry into broadcasting boxing events, adding a layer of intrigue as it would be the streaming giant’s first venture into live sports.
As it stands, fans and participants are in a state of suspense, waiting to see if the bout will indeed take place or if the medical and logistical challenges will prove insurmountable. The upcoming announcement on June 7 is highly anticipated, as it will provide clarity on the future of this highly debated match.