Mike Tyson has confessed that he “almost died” before his hotly-debated defeat to Jake Paul. The iconic boxer stepped into the Arlington ring on Friday night, at the ripe old age of 58, but found himself overpowered by his far younger opponent.
Although Tyson didn’t succumb to a KO, he was beaten on points in the showdown with Paul. Now, Iron Mike has come clean about his harrowing health plunge while getting into shape for the fight.
Tweeting out to his legions of followers, Tyson declared: “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.
“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won,” reports the Mirror
Tyson shared more about the incredible feat, saying: “To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”
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The fight was initially due in July; however, it was rescheduled after Tyson encountered a medical emergency mid-flight. Opening his heart about that scary time to New York Magazine, Tyson recalled: “I was in the bathroom throwing up blood.”
He asked the attending physician: “Am I going to die?” To which the response was unsettling: ‘We have options.’
Tyson could hardly fathom it, revealing, “I had, like, eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half my blood. I almost died.”
He said: “I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. Couldn’t eat. Only liquids. Every time I went to the bathroom, it smelled like tar. Didn’t even smell like s*** anymore. It was disgusting.”
He continued: “It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic getting back. I was peaked already. I could have fought him that day. Now I got to start from scratch.”
He concluded: “I just don’t give up. I’m an a****** sometimes. I’m a d***. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into my friends.”