Mike Tyson admits he 'got sick' and struggles to answer question on Jake Paul boxing fight

Mike Tyson has admitted he got 'sick' earlier in the year - and also revealed he 'doesn't know' why he was fighting Jake Paul in November.

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 19/08/2024

- 07:54

Iron Mike spoke at a press conference on Sunday

Mike Tyson has admitted he got 'sick' earlier in the year - and also revealed he 'doesn't know' why he was fighting Jake Paul in November.

Iron Mike stunned fans earlier this year when he revealed he'd be coming out of retirement, having last fought Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout four years ago.


Tyson and Paul had been due to fight on July 20, having announced their showdown in March.

However, their fight was pushed back after the boxing icon suffered an ulcer flare up.

Mike Tyson Jake Paul

Mike Tyson has admitted he got 'sick' earlier in the year - and also revealed he 'doesn't know' why he was fighting Jake Paul in November.

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When asked about his recovery at a press conference on Sunday, Tyson admitted he 'got sick'.

But he says he's now feeling better and can't wait to return to the sport he loves

"I'm very prepared [to knock out Jake Paul]. I'm very prepared," he said.

"I had a small adversity. I got sick, but I feel good. I'm just ready. I'm just ready.

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"I'm going to do my talk and I'm going to talk my s**t, but I'm ready to fight."

Many have criticised both Tyson and Paul over the fight.

After all, there is a huge 31-year age gap between the two men - and the sight of a young gun beating an old head is certainly a possibility.

When asked why he was facing Paul, Tyson struggled to answer. He did suggest, however, that the chance to put his name up in lights again holds major appeal.

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"I don't know. That's a funny question. [I’m doing it] because I can," he added.

"Who else can do it but me? Just look at it. Who else is he going to fight to make [an event of this magnitude] happen?"

Tyson, during his prime years, was formidable.

And when quizzed on whether fans will see him roll back the years, the 58-year-old made it clear he felt confident of securing victory.

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Mike Tyson Jake Paul

Mike Tyson insists he's raring to go as he prepares to face Jake Paul in November

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"Hey, listen, [as] soon as I catch this guy, it's over," he continued.

"Jake Paul is going to be running around [the ring], but as soon as I catch this guy, it's going to be totally over."

Paul, meanwhile, has hit back at criticism over the bout and says he's keen to prove 'everyone wrong'.

The 27-year-old was booed by some fans in attendance - yet isn't too concerned about his popularity.

Jake Paul

Mike Tyson's fight with Jake Paul is shrouded in controversy but neither man seems to care

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"At the end of the day, people are always going to have something to say," he said.

"It's because of who I am. I proved everyone wrong. Reminder: the most hated and most criticised boxer in the sport of boxing before they loved them was Muhammad Ali.

"So I'm the anti-hero, and people will love me soon enough once they realise what I've done for this sport and who I truly am. "But it doesn't bother me at the end of the day, because when you're at the top, people are clawing to rip you down. And that's just the way the game goes."

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