Mike Tyson reveals terrifying details of health scare ahead of Jake Paul fight - 'Am I going to die?'

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 05/11/2024

- 15:47

Anticipation for the clash is rising with 10 days to go

Mike Tyson has opened up on his ulcer flare up earlier in the year as the boxing icon prepares to fight Jake Paul later this month.

The two men had been due to lock horns on July 20, only for the bout to then be pushed back after the 58-year-old suffered a health scare.


Tyson will now make his return to boxing on November 15, four years on from his last clash with Roy Jones Jr.

And the veteran has now provided details of his time in hospital, with the boxing icon saying he threw up blood and that he lost 26 pounds as a result.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson has opened up on his ulcer flare up earlier in the year as the boxing icon prepares to fight Jake Paul later this month

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"I went to the bathroom and I threw up blood," Tyson revealed in the Netflix documentary "Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson".

The incident, caused by a 2.5-inch bleeding ulcer, left Tyson hospitalised and 26 pounds lighter.

It also left the boxing legend questioning his mortality. He continued: "I asked the doctor, 'Am I going to die?'

"And she didn't say no. She said we have options, though. That's when I got nervous."

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Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson revealed he asked doctors whether he was going to die after suffering an ulcer flare up earlier this year

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Despite the setback, Tyson has recovered and is training at full capacity for the rescheduled bout on 15 November at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Lennox Lewis, another former heavyweight champion, has weighed in on the upcoming Tyson vs Paul fight. Speaking to Sky Sports, Lewis expressed confidence in Tyson's abilities despite his age.

"It's hard to box when you're that old, moving around the ring, throwing punches, getting punches thrown at you, but I think he can handle it," Lewis said.

The 59-year-old predicted a tough night for Paul, stating, "I was thinking that Jake Paul was going to be in trouble, because Mike Tyson knows how to throw great body punches, great head shots.

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Mike Tyson Jake Paul

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will put their friendship aside when they fight on November 15

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"Lewis expects Tyson to utilise his experience, envisioning him "cutting off the ring and throwing body and head blows, when he can catch up to Jake Paul".

And when quizzed on the possibility of himself coming out of retirement, like Tyson, he said: "There's always a tempt.

"Being a boxer, everybody is always saying 'well, when are you going to go back in the ring'? I'm like, 'I've retired'."

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The former champion also shared his thoughts on the rise of 'influencer boxers' like Jake Paul."

It's good and bad," the Briton added. "A lot of boxers that are out there training hard and working and trying to get a shot at the championship don't get a chance.

"All of a sudden, a YouTuber comes along and gets all the excitement, all the praise and the money. So, in that way, it's not fair."

Tyson has won 50 pro fights throughout his career, with 44 of those victories secured via knockout.

He did, however, retire in 2005 on the back of two defeats - with his last coming against Kevin McBride in Las Vegas in 2005.

As for Paul, the 27-year-old has won 10 of his 11 pro fights. A defeat to Tommy Fury in February last year remains the only blot on his record.

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