Mike Tyson v Jake Paul: Tyson has medical scare on flight ahead of Paul fight

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight on July 21. Photo / Getty Images

Boxing great Mike Tyson suffered an apparent medical scare on a flight less than two months out from his fight against YouTuber Jake Paul.

The 57-year-old former heavyweight champion is set to return to the ring on July 21 to take on Paul in Dallas.

Yesterday, Tyson was flying from Miami to Los Angeles and according to reports passengers heard an announcement asking for medical professionals. Paramedics attended to Tyson when the flight landed.

“Thankfully Mr Tyson is doing great,” Tyson’s representatives told the New York Post. “He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare-up 30 minutes before landing. He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.”

All you need to know - Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul

The bout has been sanctioned as a competitive boxing match rather than an exhibition, and the rounds will be shorter and the gloves will be heavier.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation this month approved terms for the July 21 NZT fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Netflix will provide live coverage of the bout between the 27-year-old Paul, a social media star-turned-boxer, and Tyson, 57, who hasn’t fought since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.

A Department of Licensing and Regulation spokesperson said in an email to the Associated Press that “this will be a professional bout with a referee and judges and the results will count as part of the fighters’ professional records. So – it’s an actual competitive fight”.

Paul built a significant fan following as a YouTube influencer before he embarked on a professional boxing career four years ago. He has won nine of 10 fights with six knockouts against mostly undistinguished opponents, including several mixed martial artists and a fellow YouTuber.

Tyson was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-90. He retired in 2005 after winning 50 fights, 44 by knockout.

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul rules

The fight is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds; most men’s pro fights have three-minute rounds. The boxer’s gloves will weigh 14 ounces instead of the standard pro weight of 10 ounces; heavier gloves reduce the power of punches.

In approving terms for fights, the department’s combative sports staff considers, among other factors, each contestant’s age, medical tests, win-loss record and losses by knockout or technical knockout.

Mike Tyson v Jake Paul – how to watch

Date - July 21 NZT

Location - AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas

Start time - TBC

How to watch - Netflix

Mike Tyson v Jake Paul odds

As of May 15, the New Zealand TAB odds for the fight were:

Jack Paul to win: $1.53

Mike Tyson to win: $2.35

What is the Mike Tyson v Jake Paul undercard?

The only announcement to date is the card will feature a rematch between undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.

What is Mike Tyson’s age and Jake Paul’s age?

Mike Tyson will be 58 when the fight takes place. He was born in 1966. Jake Paul is 27. He was born in 1997, months after Tyson famously lost the WBA heavyweight title to Evander Holyfield. Paul was only a few months old when Tyson was disqualified in the rematch against Holyfield for biting. That means there will be an age difference between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul of 31 years when they enter the ring.