Mike Tyson faces grilling over ‘nearly died’ declare days earlier than Jake Paul battle

Mike Tyson is set to get grilled on his medical past in the run-up to his epic battle with YouTube sensation Jake Paul.

‘Iron Mike’ threw in the towel on his pro career back in 2005 after a knockout by Kevin McBride, but not before an internet-famous final interview where he announced his retirement. Fast forward to now and he’s getting ready to fight it out in the ring once again.

Even though Tyson is hailed as one of the all-time greats in heavyweight boxing history, his last actual fight was against Roy Jones Jr in a 2018 exhibition match. He’s now geared up to clash with influencer-turned-boxer Paul this Friday, November 15, at the mega AT&T Stadium in Texas.

The two heavy-hitters were meant to have their match earlier in the year, but Tyson had to bow out due to a nasty ulcer mid-flight. Spilling the beans in a Netflix doc, the boxing old-timer confessed he thought he was a goner before ditching the original bout in July, reports the Mirror.

Talking about the lead-up he said, “A week and a half ago I was training and I was doing great but then all of a sudden I started feeling tired. I was explaining to my trainer, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me’.”

“Coming here from Miami on the plane, I went to the bathroom and I threw up blood. The next thing I know I’m on the floor, I was defecating tar. So I came here and they found I had a big ulcer, two-and-a-half inches, and it was bleeding. All my friends were calling me like I was dying.

“I asked the doctor if I was going to die and she didn’t say no. She said we have options though, and that’s when I got nervous. I can’t wait to get out of this motherf***er, man. God, I want to fight and start training. I don’t want to die in the hospital bedroom, I want to die in the ring.

“You wouldn’t believe what I endured from my ulcer. I lost 26 pounds, can you imagine that? I was so p***ed off because I had peaked. I was good, talking s***, ready.”

In an exclusive with World Boxing News, TDLR Communications Manager Tela Goodwin Mange confirmed that the medical team is on top of it: “Thorough pre-fight physicals will be conducted by TDLR-appointed physicians, who will discuss Mr Tyson’s medical history with him.”.

The upcoming scrap this Friday is set to feature Paul and Tyson going head-to-head in eight two-minute rounds – a break from the usual three-minute rounds. After fans hankered for longer action, Paul cheekily challenged his rival to take it up a notch with 10 three-minute rounds, but the official rule book remains untouched.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has already given its seal of approval for the professional match. The fighters will wear 14-ounce gloves, that’s bulkier than what you’d normally see.

Since announcing the mammoth clash, Paul’s caught flak for stepping into the ring with the veteran. ‘The Problem Child’ responded to the haters ahead of the throwdown, telling TODAY: “A lot of people are wondering ‘Jake, why are you doing this? Even if you beat him, they’re going to say he’s old’. But to me, Mike Tyson wanted to fight me.

“That is an honour. He’s one of the most famous boxers in the world to ever do it. To step in there with someone of his nature is an honour and a dream come true. It’s going to be a spectacle on Netflix.”