The highly anticipated boxing match between YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul and former world champion Mike Tyson, originally set for July 20 in Texas, has been postponed.
Scheduled to take place at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, the home turf of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, the bout had been officially sanctioned as a professional fight. However, the 57-year-old Tyson revealed he has been unable to train due to a recent flare-up of an ulcer, necessitating the delay.
“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,” Tyson said
Organizers have yet to comment on the status of light-welterweight champion Katie Taylor’s rematch with Amanda Serrano, which was scheduled for the same night.
However, it is expected that this bout will also be postponed along with the rest of the card.
Most Valuable Promotions in partnership with Netflix, is hosting the event at the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium. They have announced that a new date for the fight will be revealed on June 7.
“The recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” MVP said.
“Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level.
“The health and wellbeing of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.”
Tyson, who would have been 58 at the time of the fight, retired from professional boxing in 2005. He most recently participated in an exhibition match in 2020.
Tyson made history in 1987 as the first heavyweight boxer to hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles simultaneously. However, his reign as unified champion ended unexpectedly in 1990 when he was defeated by Buster Douglas in one of boxing’s greatest upsets.
In contrast, Jake Paul, 27, is 30 years Tyson’s junior and has secured victories in nine out of his ten fights, mainly against former UFC fighters. His only loss was to British boxer Tommy Fury in February 2023.
He added, “I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night.”
Paul said he did not want to face Tyson “at anything but his best”.
